Sunday on CBS News, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed his agency is taking extensive measures to combat migrant gangs in the United States. However, when confronted about an Afghan migrant who was arrested for planning a terrorist attack in the U.S. on Election Day, Mayorkas seemed less sure about the effectiveness of his agency’s efforts.
Mayorkas, a former prosecutor, assured host Margaret Brennan that his agency is doing everything they can to dismantle criminal gangs and transnational organizations. However, when Brennan pressed him about the recent arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national who entered the country through a humanitarian parole during the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, Mayorkas seemed to stumble.
Tawhedi, who was immediately granted a Special Immigration Visa (SIV) after entering the U.S., was arrested on October 8 for allegedly planning a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. It is unclear when Tawhedi’s SIV was approved, but officials confirmed that there were no red flags that would have prevented him from entering the country.
Despite Mayorkas’ claims of intensive vetting, it appears that Tawhedi slipped through the cracks. This raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies, especially since illegal border crossings have continued to be a major issue since President Biden’s executive order in June.
Under President Trump’s term, illegal border crossings totaled around two million. In comparison, the Biden-Harris administration has averaged two million per year from 2021 to 2023, according to the Washington Post. This significant increase in illegal border crossings is a direct result of the Biden-Harris administration’s lax immigration policies and failure to secure the border.
This is not the first time that Mayorkas has faced criticism for his agency’s handling of immigration policies. Recent reports surfaced about a Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua, who has allegedly taken over multiple apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado. Despite efforts by the city’s Republican mayor and Democratic Governor Jared Polis to downplay the situation, authorities confirmed that the gang has been committing acts of violence against members of the migrant community.
When Brennan asked Mayorkas about Tren de Aragua, the DHS secretary was quick to defend his agency’s actions. However, his response raised more concerns about the effectiveness of their vetting process.
“It’s a point in time screening and vetting process,” Mayorkas stated, adding that if they receive information suggesting an individual could be a danger, they take appropriate law enforcement action. But with Tawhedi’s case, it seems as though the vetting process may not be thorough enough to catch potential threats.
It is clear that the Biden-Harris administration’s lenient immigration policies have led to a rise in illegal border crossings and the potential for dangerous individuals to enter the country. President Trump had implemented strict policies to secure the border and prevent criminals from entering the country, but these efforts have been reversed under the current administration.
It is time for the Biden-Harris administration to take responsibility for their failures and make significant changes to keep our country safe. As long as their policies continue to allow for unchecked illegal immigration, the safety and security of American citizens will be at risk. Secretary Mayorkas and the rest of the Biden-Harris administration must do better to protect our country and our citizens.
Source: SilverCircular
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