Biden bungled Afghan vetting. Trump must do a fresh review

Activists are currently lobbying Congress to increase the number of Afghan nationals allowed into the United States, following the Biden administration's evacuation of 200,000 Afghans after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. However, concerns have been raised by whistleblowers regarding the national security risks associated with inadequate vetting and corruption within the visa process. Reports indicate that at least four Afghan evacuees have been arrested on terrorism charges, raising alarms about the potential for more security threats stemming from the influx of evacuees.

One notable incident involved Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan evacuee who allegedly ambushed and fatally shot Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom in Washington, D.C. in November 2022. Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. during the evacuation, is currently awaiting trial after pleading not guilty. Other Afghan nationals have also faced terrorism-related charges, including Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, who plotted an attack on polling places in Oklahoma City, and Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, who threatened to conduct a suicide attack. These incidents have amplified concerns about the vetting process for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, who are eligible for citizenship after five years.

Whistleblowers have raised serious allegations that the SIV application process was compromised, with many applicants submitting fraudulent letters of recommendation claiming they had served faithfully alongside U.S. forces. Reports suggest that individuals paid corrupt officials in Afghanistan to secure these fraudulent endorsements, with some estimates indicating that thousands of such letters may have been issued. One particularly alarming revelation is that a purported CIA official, Morgan A. Killington, whose name appeared on numerous letters, does not exist, raising questions about the integrity of the vetting process.

Senator Chuck Grassley has pressed for accountability, questioning whether the FBI is conducting ongoing reviews to ensure that known or suspected terrorists have not entered the country. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has acknowledged a significant error rate in the adjudication of asylum claims, with a report indicating a 40% error rate that could have allowed potential terrorists to enter the U.S. Despite these findings, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has reportedly resisted implementing recommendations for improved screening and vetting of evacuees.

As activists continue to advocate for the admission of more Afghan nationals, they face a complex landscape marked by security concerns and bureaucratic challenges. Shawn VanDiver, a veteran and founder of an NGO focused on Afghan evacuees, has expressed optimism about a recent court ruling that temporarily halted deportations of Afghan nationals. He is in Washington to push for bipartisan legislation that would facilitate the entry of more Afghans, emphasizing that while progress is being made, the fight for their safety and security continues.