Vice President Kamala Harris has recently pledged to assist tens of thousands of Afghan nationals, many of whom were resettled in the United States without thorough in-person vetting, by offering them green cards. This initiative comes in light of concerns that the Biden administration’s Afghan resettlement program, which began in September 2021 and aimed to bring nearly 100,000 Afghans to America, has faced significant vetting challenges. A notable incident occurred when Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national, was arrested in Oklahoma for allegedly planning an ISIS-related attack on Election Day. This incident has raised alarms regarding the effectiveness of the vetting process employed during the rapid resettlement of Afghan individuals following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
Despite the serious concerns raised by multiple federal audits regarding the vetting procedures, Harris maintains that she is committed to ensuring that the Afghan nationals resettled in the U.S. during 2021 receive green cards. She has highlighted her intent to work toward passing a Senate bill co-sponsored by Senators James Lankford, Kyrsten Sinema, and Chris Murphy, aimed at facilitating this process. Harris’s campaign assertively states her plans to restore a bipartisan border security bill while stressing the necessity of comprehensive immigration reform, which includes enhanced border security and a reliable pathway to citizenship for immigrants.
The Afghan resettlement operation has been marred by extensive vetting failures since it began. Reports have emerged indicating that some individuals brought into the country may have had prior involvement with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeting American troops. There have also been concerns over the number of Afghans on the federal government’s “No Fly List,” including those suspected of links to Islamic terrorism, as no substantial disclosure has been made regarding this troubling demographic. Critically, the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General issued a report confirming that numerous Afghans were allowed to enter without complete vetting, potentially posing risks to national security.
In further developments, internal reports have pointed to the Biden administration’s inadequate vetting efforts, with approximately 50 Afghans flagged for “significant security concerns” recognized after their resettlement. Alarmingly, many of these individuals have since assimilated into American communities, complicating the ability to monitor their activities. The Inspector General’s report revealed that, by mid-September 2021, only a small fraction of Afghans who were flagged with derogatory backgrounds could be located, intensifying fears over potential threats.
Additionally, whistleblower claims surfaced, revealing that almost 400 Afghans classified as “potential threats” might have been resettled in the U.S. due to the administration pressuring staff to expedite the vetting process. Reports have also indicated that some individuals on the federal “Terrorism Watch List” were among those resettled. These revelations have led to heightened scrutiny from various congress members, including Senator Chuck Grassley, who have pressed the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI for clarity on ongoing monitoring practices for Afghans who constitute national security risks.
Despite the ongoing controversies and concerns, Harris continues to advocate for the rights and welfare of Afghan nationals, asserting a commitment to comprehensive immigration reform. The administration’s determinations regarding national security and refugee resettlement come amidst escalating discussions surrounding border security, vetting protocols, and the balance between humanitarian efforts and protecting American citizens. As the Biden-Harris administration aims to navigate the complexities of the refugee resettlement program, questions about the effectiveness of these policies remain at the forefront of the national debate, emphasizing the urgent need for improved systems in responding to global humanitarian crises without compromising national security.
