Multiple officials who are knowledgeable about the operation have confirmed to CBS News that in the past few days, federal investigators have apprehended eight foreign nationals who are currently residing in the United States and are suspected to have connections with ISIS. The arrests have taken place in Washington.
According to officials, the Tajikistani nationals were apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia. Presently, they are facing charges related to immigration.
Related posts
Law enforcement sources have clarified that there was no active terror plot. They revealed that the information of concern was brought to their attention through a wiretap after the individuals had already entered the United States.
The New York Post initially reported the apprehensions.
The arrests came only months after FBI Director Christopher Wray warned in April that human smuggling operations along the southern border were bringing in people with probable ties to terrorist organizations.
Sources familiar with the operation claim that law enforcement vetted the individuals upon their entry into the United States, finding no evidence of their affiliation with ISIS at the time. Law enforcement became concerned about their presence in the United States and took action, according to the officials.
According to a senior Department of Homeland Security official, the eight migrants seized by ICE crossed the southern border without legal documentation and were then allowed into the United States with summons to appear in immigration court.
The person stated that DHS had no information linking the migrants to ISIS at the time of their release. ICE is currently detaining them and deporting them for civil immigration crimes.
The person stated that it is extremely difficult for the US to deport people to Tajikistan for both operational and diplomatic reasons. According to official data, ICE deported only four individuals to the Central Asian country for fiscal year 2023.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security closely collaborated on the arrests. The persons apprehended are currently in ICE custody, undergoing removal proceedings.
“As the FBI and DHS have recently described in public and partner bulletins, the U.S. has been in a heightened threat environment,” the statement continued. “The FBI and DHS will continue working around the clock with our partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt potential threats to national security.”
