The FBI is reportedly scrambling to find more than a dozen Uzbeks who sought asylum in the US earlier this year after intelligence officials discovered they had traveled to the southern border with the help of smugglers with ties to ISIS.
Officials are working to “identify and evaluate” all individuals who have gained entry into the country, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson told CNN.
They are also examining some immigrants as possible criminal threats, two unnamed federal officials told the news network. But authorities say no specific ISIS plot has been identified.
“There was no indication — and there is still no indication — that any of the individuals facilitated by this network had ties to foreign terrorist organizations, or were involved in planning terrorist attacks in the United States,” Watson asserted.
More than a dozen Uzbek immigrants gained entry to the United States from the southern border earlier this year. New York Post
Officials are working to “identify and assess” all individuals who have gained entry into the country.AP
Authorities said the immigrant sought asylum at the border with Mexico earlier this year and was screened by Homeland Security.
Nothing in any of the intelligence community’s databases raised any red flags, CNN reported, and they were all released to the US pending a court appearance.
Only later did the FBI learn of a smuggling ring that helped Uzbekistan enter the US — which involved at least one individual with ties to ISIS.
Officials are also examining some immigrants as possible criminal threats, according to two unnamed federal officials. New York Post
Authorities say no specific ISIS plot has been identified. James Keivom
The bureau began a nationwide search for the migrants, and also cooperated with Turkish authorities, who detained smugglers and other members of the network, the report said.
It has received more information from the unnamed smuggler to help the bureau’s investigation, officials said.
Since then, Homeland Security has detained, vetted, and ultimately expedited deportation of immigrants who “fit the profile associated with individuals facilitated by this network,” Watson said.
Migrants crossing the US-Mexico border wait to be transported by US Customs and Border Protection officials. James Keivom
Migrant wanted after surrendering to US Customs and Border Protection officials after crossing the US-Mexico border in Yuma, Arizona.James Keivom
The ISIS-linked smuggler is not believed to be a member of the terrorist organization, but rather an independent contractor with personal sympathies for the organization, NSC representatives said.
The intelligence community also said it was unlikely he was helping migrants at the behest of ISIS, most of whom are believed to be seeking a better life in the US.
But many have yet to be found, and more than 15 who have been located are still under investigation for possible criminal threats.
The discovery of a network linked to ISIS has set off alarm bells in Washington, at a time when Republican presidential candidates are talking about security on the southern border.
The quickly classified intelligence report was circulated to President Biden’s top cabinet officials in their morning briefing book, CNN reported, and the disclosure set off several emergency meetings among the nation’s top security and administration officials.
Staff of key congressional committees have also been informed.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
