The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday released details on several Afghan nationals who entered the country through Biden-era evacuation programs and were later arrested on criminal convictions, saying the cases highlight ongoing efforts to identify public-safety risks among evacuees.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the individuals arrived in 2021 under Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Allies Welcome, large-scale airlift missions that brought more than 80,000 Afghans to the United States after the Taliban takeover. Those arrested have been convicted of offences including sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary and hit-and-run causing serious injury, according to DHS.
The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of vetting procedures after an Afghan national accused of killing one National Guard member and wounding another in a Nov. 26 shooting in Washington, D.C., was found to have entered the US through government programs after being screened overseas.
DHS said the State Department has paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports, without indicating how long the measure would last.
In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the department has been “identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and criminal non-citizens” who entered through the 2021 parole programs. She said some evacuees had been admitted with “insufficient screening,” a claim Reuters could not independently verify.
ICE listed the following arrests:
• Qesmat Din Zafran, arrested Aug. 29; convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under 16.
• Mansour Walizada, arrested Oct. 2; convicted twice of sexual battery; previously arrested for child fondling.
• Mohammad Tabesh Rasoli, arrested June 8; convicted of hit-and-run causing serious bodily harm.
• Javid Ghamgeen, transferred to ICE custody on May 8 after serving a sentence in Iowa; convicted of methamphetamine possession, burglary and aggravated assault on a public officer.
• Asirullah Khalid-Khan, arrested Oct. 9; convicted of kidnapping; previously arrested on a rape allegation.
• Said Mohammad Tanai, arrested July 21; convicted of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.
ICE said it continues to review the backgrounds of Afghan evacuees and will pursue removal proceedings in cases where individuals are deemed threats to public safety.
