Senior US lawmakers have expressed worries about security screening lapses for Afghan evacuees post the 2021 Kabul withdrawal, fearing potential vulnerabilities to further attacks. During a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on border security and immigration, Republican lawmakers criticized the Biden administration for allegedly allowing a large number of Afghan nationals into the US without adequate background checks. Senator John Cornyn highlighted concerns over the parole of over 70,000 Afghan nationals, stating that many were allowed into the country without proper vetting despite derogatory information.
The issue was linked to a November 26 shooting in Washington, where a National Guard Specialist was killed and another soldier wounded by an Afghan national who entered the US through the Operation Allies Welcome parole program. Senator Josh Hawley criticized the evacuation process, claiming that standard screening procedures were overlooked, leading to the admission of tens of thousands of Afghans with unclear identities and potential security risks. Craig Adelman, Deputy Inspector General for Audits at the Department of Homeland Security, revealed gaps in the screening and vetting process, including missing critical biographic data.
The Department of Homeland Security allowed nearly 1,300 Afghan nationals to enter the US before collecting their biometrics, while around 30,000 individuals lacked formal identification documents. Adelman also mentioned cases where individuals posing national security concerns were granted parole. Officials highlighted challenges in screening, vetting, and relocation processes in Afghanistan, citing identity fraud and unreliable data. Democratic lawmakers refuted claims of broad unvetted entry for Afghan evacuees, emphasizing extensive vetting procedures before and after arrival involving various agencies.
