Eight Tajik migrants with suspected ISIS ties were arrested in a multi-state operation, thwarting a planned attack on an LGBTQ venue in Philadelphia after entering the U.S. through the southern border.
At a Glance
- Eight Tajik migrants with suspected ISIS connections arrested in multi-state operation
- Suspects entered the U.S. via southern border, some using CBP One app
- Group planned attack on Philadelphia LGBTQ establishment and other “infidels”
- Arrests highlight ongoing security concerns at southern border
- FBI Director previously warned about ISIS exploiting open border
Multi-State Operation Thwarts Potential Terror Attack
A coordinated multi-state operation led to the arrest of eight Tajik migrants with suspected ties to ISIS, preventing a planned attack on an LGBTQ establishment in Philadelphia. The suspects were apprehended in New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles following an investigation that included wiretapping. Initially, the group’s terror affiliations were not flagged when they entered the United States through the southern border, with some using the CBP One phone app for entry.
The operation uncovered alarming details about the group’s intentions. One suspect was caught on wiretap discussing bombs, and the group reportedly planned to target “infidels” in the United States. While the exact details of the planned attack remain unclear, the severity of the threat has raised significant concerns about border security and the potential for terrorist activities on U.S. soil.
SCOOP: The group of Tajik migrants with suspected ties to ISIS scooped up by ICE in June had been planning an attack on an LGBTQ establishment in Philadelphia and looked to target “infidels” before they were pinched in June, sources tell me.https://t.co/bgNIM5BStg
— Jennie Taer 🎗️ (@JennieSTaer) September 19, 2024
FBI Warnings and Border Security Concerns
The arrests come in the wake of warnings from FBI Director Chris Wray about the potential exploitation of the southern border by terrorist organizations. Wray had previously expressed concerns about ISIS taking advantage of the open border and the possibility of coordinated attacks within the United States.
“Our most immediate concern has been that individuals or small groups will draw twisted inspiration from the events in the Middle East to carry out attacks here at home,” Wray told a House Appropriations subcommittee.
The surge in illegal border crossings under the current administration has coincided with an increase in the number of migrants with suspected terror ties. Border Patrol agents have reported catching a record number of individuals on the terror watchlist in recent years. However, some with known or suspected terror ties have managed to slip through the cracks, raising questions about the effectiveness of current vetting procedures.
Ongoing Challenges at the Southern Border
The arrest of the Tajik migrants is not an isolated incident. Border Patrol agents have reported releasing individuals with potential terrorist and criminal backgrounds due to insufficient time and background information for proper vetting. This has led to concerning situations, such as the release and subsequent rearrest of Mohammad Kharwin, a suspected member of Hezb-e-Islami, and a 27-year-old Somali national confirmed to be a member of al Shabaab.
“I want to be a little bit careful how far I can go in open session, but there is a particular network that, where some of the overseas facilitators of the smuggling network have ISIS ties that we’re very concerned about and that we’ve been spending enormous amount of effort with our partners investigating,” the FBI director said in response to a question from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
The challenges faced by Border Patrol agents are further highlighted by recent incidents of violence. In a separate event, an agent was assaulted and bitten by a migrant during an illegal border crossing attempt near Sunland Park, New Mexico. While the agent’s injuries were non-life-threatening, the incident underscores the dangers faced by those tasked with securing the border.
