Washington: The Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has revealed that among Afghan nationals who entered the United States under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, approximately 2,000 individuals have direct or potential links to terrorist organizations.
In an interview with US media, Gabbard criticized the slow vetting process for Afghans who arrived under the program, which saw 18,000 Afghan nationals resettled in the US.
She stated that under Operation Allies Welcome, each Afghan arrival is now undergoing close scrutiny, with multiple agencies actively involved in the review process.
Gabbard highlighted that terrorist groups, including ISIS, are reportedly planning attacks on US soil and are seeking individuals capable of carrying out such operations. She emphasized that this threat is being taken extremely seriously by US authorities.
The intelligence chief also noted that in recent years, the number of individuals entering the US illegally has increased, adding another layer of concern for national security agencies.