An Afghan man named Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, who resides in Oklahoma, has been accused of planning a terrorist attack on Election Day on behalf of the Islamic State. Surprisingly, it has been revealed that Tawhedi had previously worked a security job for the CIA in Afghanistan. This information came to light through investigations conducted by Fox News.
Tawhedi, aged 27, is believed to have become radicalized after his arrival in the U.S. on September 9, 2021, just weeks after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. He entered the country using a special immigrant visa (SIV) and is currently on parole status while awaiting the outcome of his immigration proceedings, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Although initial reports suggested that Tawhedi entered the U.S. on an SIV, the State Department clarified that he actually arrived through humanitarian parole and later applied for special immigrant status. The process of humanitarian parole entails individuals being held in a third country for screening and vetting before being admitted to the U.S.
Upon his relocation to the U.S. last year, Tawhedi sought special immigrant status to obtain a green card, which was eventually granted. However, his status had not been finalized at the time of the conflicting reports between the State Department and DHS. Tawhedi wasted no time in applying for SIV status immediately after his arrival in the U.S.
Despite the lack of any apparent red flags during the screening process, Tawhedi stands accused of plotting a terror attack on Election Day. Federal authorities have charged him with conspiring to support ISIS, attempting to provide material assistance to the terrorist group, and receiving a firearm for the purpose of committing a federal crime related to terrorism.
The investigation into Tawhedi’s activities revealed that he planned to carry out the attack on Election Day at locations with large crowds, intending to sacrifice himself and a juvenile accomplice as martyrs. His arrest came after he discussed his plans with an FBI informant, leading to the charges filed against him.
It is worth noting that the juvenile suspect, identified as Tawhedi’s brother-in-law, entered the U.S. in 2018 under a stricter SIV program after undergoing thorough vetting procedures.
As concerns grow regarding the vetting process for individuals entering the U.S., Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has declined to comment on the Tawhedi case. This incident underscores the challenges faced in screening and monitoring individuals with potential links to extremist groups, highlighting the ongoing need for robust security measures to safeguard against terrorist threats.