The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained eight foreign citizens suspected of having ties to the Islamic State of Khorasan, an Afghan branch of the Islamic State terrorist group.
According to information from the American media, the arrests took place over the last week in the cities of Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.
As reported by NBC, individuals entered American territory through the southern border, which is currently the target of an intense migration crisis. The broadcaster claims that one of them even used the application known as CBP One, created by the Joe Biden government, which allows immigrants to schedule their asylum requests in the USA. No irregularities were detected when they entered the country.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Joint Terrorism Task Forces, contributed to the operation that culminated in the arrests of these individuals. The Joint Counter-Terrorism Task Forces were already investigating these eight people, who had made suspicious calls to each other, where they commented on the use of bombs.
The individuals, who are reportedly from Tajikistan, are now in ICE custody, where they await due legal proceedings, which involve their deportation.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has expressed concerns in recent months about potential threats from members of the Islamic State of Khorasan, especially following the devastating terrorist attack carried out by members of that group at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia, which resulted in 145 deaths.
According to information from the National Review, Wray also warned about the exploitation of vulnerabilities on the US southern border by groups affiliated with the Islamic State, which would be trying to send terrorists into the country there.
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