Biden’s Afghan airlift allowed 82 terrorism suspects into United States

The chaotic airlift to evacuate Afghans amid the fall of Kabul in 2021 allowed at least 82 people who have been on the terrorism watchlist to get into the U.S., an inspector general said Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know about the Afghan evacuation security findings:

The terrorism watchlist findings

Inspector general audit reveals security concerns:

• 82 people on terrorism watchlist entered U.S. during airlift
• 55 were already on watchlist before summer 2021 or during evacuation
• 27 more weren’t added to list until after settling in U.S.
• Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz conducted audit

The FBI response

Bureau took appropriate steps according to audit:

• FBI tracked suspects once it learned of their names
• Bureau worked to confirm if individuals were actual threats
• “Appropriate mitigation steps were taken in response to those threats”
• Screening and investigative efforts revealed potential threats

The 2021 evacuation context

Airlift occurred during chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal:

• Tens of thousands of Afghans airlifted from Kabul July-August 2021
• President Biden scrambled to salvage disastrous troop withdrawal
• Evacuation supposed to rescue Afghans who assisted U.S. war effort
• Large amount of evacuees may have lacked those ties to U.S.

The current status of the 27 added later

Follow-up on those identified after settling:

• 19 of the 27 still on watchlist as of last year
• 15 were “encountered by various agencies” after being listed
• Appropriate follow-up done in each case according to Horowitz
• Bureau found these 27 already in U.S. when added to list

The ongoing investigations

Active cases among original 55 suspects:

• 4 individuals under active FBI investigations
• 4 others remain under suspicion for terrorist associations
• 1 individual no longer in U.S. but still on watchlist
• 9 of original 55 remained on watchlist as of last year

The parole authority

Mayorkas used special immigration exception:

• Homeland Security Secretary allowed Afghans under “parole” authority
• Parole supposed to be used on case-by-case basis
• Previously reserved for medical emergencies or investigation assistance
• Mayorkas used it to create secondary immigration system for millions

The broader parole usage

Afghanistan became first large-scale test:

• Later used for Ukrainians, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, Cubans
• Also used for would-be illegal immigrants in northern Mexico
• Parole authority expanded far beyond traditional usage
• Millions brought in through this system

The criminal cases

Specific terrorism plots identified:

• Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi brought in during evacuation
• Now charged with plotting Election Day massacre last year
• Trial scheduled for May 2026
• Abdullah Haji Zada pleaded guilty in April to gun procurement charges

The screening problems

Multiple inspector general reports found issues:

• Homeland Security inspector general found screening problems
• Defense Department inspector general also identified issues
• Problems occurred before Afghans reached U.S.
• Initial screening process had significant gaps

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• Biden’s Afghan airlift allowed 82 terrorism suspects into U.S.