A 27-year-old Afghan refugee, admitted to the U.S. under the Biden-Harris administration’s rushed Operation Allies Refuge, has been charged with plotting an Election Day terror attack in support of ISIS—fueling renewed fears over the inadequate vetting of Afghan evacuees following the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal.
The arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan refugee allegedly plotting a terror attack in support of ISIS, has reignited fierce criticism of the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and its refugee program. Tawhedi, who was admitted to the U.S. under the controversial Operation Allies Refuge in 2021, was charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and planning an Election Day attack.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had long warned that the chaotic evacuation and rushed vetting of refugees could pose serious national security risks. Those fears now seem justified. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The Biden-Harris administration has been playing with fire, and it's only a matter of time before terrorists succeed."
Tawhedi, who entered the U.S. under a special parole status following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, allegedly attempted to buy firearms and ammunition for a planned attack, searching online for details about Washington, D.C., and targeting large gatherings. The FBI arrested him on Monday, thwarting what could have been a deadly attack.
The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of the Biden-Harris administration's vetting process. The Homeland Security inspector general previously flagged concerns about inadequately vetted Afghan refugees entering the country, with dozens identified as potential security threats. Congressional leaders, including House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, are demanding greater transparency and calling for changes to refugee policies.
"The administration must reverse course on its misguided policies and prioritize the safety and security of Americans," Green stated, echoing the growing frustration within Washington. This latest incident underscores the lingering security risks stemming from the hasty evacuation and settlement of Afghan refugees in 2021, as officials and the public alike question how many other threats might remain undetected.
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