Eight suspects from Tajikistan with suspected ties to ISIS, who crossed into the United States from the southern border last year and this year, have been arrested in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York City, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
The suspects were initially allowed to enter the U.S. after being vetted and no national security issues were uncovered, the source said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seal at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., Aug. 22, 2022.
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Later, and in recent weeks, authorities uncovered derogatory information indicating ties or affiliation with ISIS and the suspects were sought and arrested.
Efforts are underway to deport the suspects as currently authorities have not developed enough evidence to bring any terrorism charges.
A masked Islamic State soldier poses holding the ISIL banner somewhere in the deserts of Iraq or Syria in an ISIL publicity image, 2015.
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“Over the last few days, ICE agents arrested several non-citizens pursuant to immigration authorities,” the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“The actions were carried out in close coordination with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces. The individuals arrested are detained in ICE custody pending 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 FBI and DHS will continue working around the clock with our partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt potential threats to national security,” the statement said.
Eight Tajikistanis have been arrested in the United States on suspicion of having ties to the terrorist group ISIS. The arrests come as part of a broader effort by law enforcement agencies to crack down on individuals who may be involved in supporting or carrying out acts of terrorism.
The individuals were taken into custody after a lengthy investigation by the FBI and other agencies. According to sources, the suspects were believed to have been in communication with ISIS operatives and may have been planning to carry out attacks in the US or abroad.
Tajikistan, a small Central Asian country, has been a hotbed of extremist activity in recent years. The country has seen a rise in radicalization and recruitment by groups like ISIS, which has attracted fighters from around the world.
The arrests of these individuals highlight the ongoing threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist organizations. It also underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism and preventing attacks before they occur.
The US government has been working closely with its allies to track and disrupt terrorist networks, both at home and abroad. This latest operation is just one example of the ongoing efforts to keep Americans safe from the threat of terrorism.
As the investigation into these individuals continues, authorities will be looking for any connections to known terrorist groups and seeking to prevent any potential attacks. The arrests serve as a reminder of the need for vigilance and cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
