A recent arrest has sparked concerns over the vetting process for Afghan refugees entering the United States.

According to Just the News, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green has sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI demanding answers about their failure to properly vet an alleged Afghan terror suspect.

The inquiry comes in the wake of the arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national charged with planning an Election Day terrorist attack in support of ISIS.

Green's letter, sent on Thursday, seeks information regarding the recent arrests of two Afghan nationals living in Oklahoma City. The arrests have raised significant questions about the effectiveness of the screening processes implemented during the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Suspect Entered U.S. on Special Immigrant Visa

According to the unsealed criminal complaint, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, entered the United States on September 9, 2021, using a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).

This entry occurred just days after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, during which thousands of Afghans were evacuated and resettled in the United States.

The FBI arrested Tawhedi on Monday, charging him with multiple crimes, including conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS. The Justice Department's announcement of the charges has brought renewed scrutiny to the vetting procedures for Afghan refugees.

Sources cited by NBC News suggest that Tawhedi had previously worked as a security guard for the CIA in Afghanistan before the U.S. withdrawal. However, it is believed that his radicalization in support of ISIS likely occurred during his three-year stay in the United States.

Chairman Green Demands Answers

In his letter, Chairman Green expressed serious concerns about the threat posed by ISIS supporters to U.S. national security. He also highlighted what he perceives as shortcomings in the Biden administration's screening and vetting capabilities.

Green wrote in his letter:

The Committee is seeking information about the recently reported arrests of two Afghan nationals living in Oklahoma City, who allegedly plotted an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack for Election Day.

The House Homeland Security Committee Chairman is particularly focused on understanding how an individual like Tawhedi, who allegedly became radicalized after entering the country, could have passed through the vetting process.

Details of the Alleged Terror Plot

Court documents filed earlier this week provide disturbing details about the alleged terror plot. Tawhedi is accused of attempting to purchase semiautomatic firearms and ammunition to carry out an attack planned for November 5. The charging documents also mention that Tawhedi had plans to resettle his family overseas ahead of the intended attack.

At least one co-conspirator was referenced in the documents but was not identified due to being a minor. This additional detail raises further questions about the extent of the plot and the potential for radicalization within the Afghan refugee community.

Concerns Over Vetting Process Amplified

The arrest of Tawhedi has amplified existing concerns about the vetting process for Afghan refugees. Critics argue that the chaotic nature of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan may have led to inadequate screening of individuals granted entry into the country.

Chairman Green's letter seeks to address these concerns by demanding answers from both the DHS and FBI about their screening procedures. The committee's inquiry aims to understand how an individual allegedly planning a terrorist attack could have been granted entry and resided in the country for three years without detection.

Ongoing Investigation and Political Fallout

As the investigation into Tawhedi and his alleged co-conspirators continues, it is likely to attract significant political attention. The case may become a focal point in debates over immigration policy, national security, and the handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Chairman Green's letter represents just the beginning of what could become a broader congressional inquiry into the vetting processes for Afghan refugees. The responses from the DHS and FBI to Green's questions will be closely scrutinized for insights into potential vulnerabilities in the current system.

The arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi has brought the issue of vetting Afghan refugees to the forefront of national security discussions. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green is demanding answers from the DHS and FBI regarding their failure to identify an alleged terror suspect who entered the country on a Special Immigrant Visa. This case highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing humanitarian efforts with national security concerns in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.