DHS identifies 400 migrants smuggled into US by ISIS-affiliated network
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A disturbing report claims that the Department of Homeland Security identified more than 400 migrants brought to the US by a human smuggling ring affiliated with ISIS. However, the location of over 50 of these migrants is unknown.
Three US officials told NBC News that more than 150 migrants had been arrested but that the location of another 50 remained unknown. They added that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement was looking for those involved to arrest on immigration charges.
A senior Biden administration official said that the extra caution was due to information suggesting a possible connection to ISIS, based on the people involved in smuggling migrants across the border. “We wanted to be cautious and exercise our authority as broadly and appropriately as we could to minimize risk, because this potential link has been made,” the official added.
Officials noted that no information had been gathered to link the migrants to any threat to the US since ICE began arresting them several months ago.
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Customs and Border Protection released many of the 400+ migrants who crossed the southern border into the country because they weren’t on the government watch list for terrorism, according to three anonymous officials.
Recent terrorist attacks in Russia, however, have raised concerns about ISIS and ISIS-K.
The Department of Homeland Security is monitoring all migrants from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as well as Moldova, Kyrgyzstan Georgia, and Russia, which are all countries where ISIS-K was observed.
The Post obtained leaked data on border crossings that showed over 1,500 migrants from Tajikistan entered the US between October 2022 and May 2024.
Unknown is how many Tajik migrants entered the US. However, the vast majority of migrants who are caught at the border ask for asylum and they’re allowed to stay until a court hearing.
ISIS-K is responsible for the massive attack carried out on a Moscow concert hall by citizens from Tajikistan on March 22, which killed 145 and injured hundreds.
Former FBI counterterrorism Section chief Christopher O’Leary said that it was alarming to know the location of the terrorists.
O’Leary said that ICE will likely arrest these individuals even if they have no proof of a plot to commit terrorism.
O’Leary stated, “I think the [U.S.] are scrambling to find these individuals and the use of immigration charges isn’t uncommon.” “They’re in violation of the law.” If you want to remove someone from the streets, this is a good way to do it.
Two officials stated that federal law enforcement agencies “are not panicking” over the group, but have identified them as “subjects to concern,” and they are prioritizing their arrest out of an abundance of caution.
Officials added that some of the 150 migrants arrested had already been deported.
Some of the detained or expelled have been accused of immigration violations but none has been charged with terrorist-related crimes.