{"id":2042171,"date":"2023-09-23T01:31:04","date_gmt":"2023-09-23T05:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/proper-vetting-needed-of-afghan-immigrants-enrolled-in-resettlement-programs-rep-comer\/"},"modified":"2023-09-23T01:33:22","modified_gmt":"2023-09-23T05:33:22","slug":"proper-vetting-needed-of-afghan-immigrants-enrolled-in-resettlement-programs-rep-comer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/proper-vetting-needed-of-afghan-immigrants-enrolled-in-resettlement-programs-rep-comer\/","title":{"rendered":"Rep. Comer emphasizes the importance of properly vetting Afghan immigrants enrolled in resettlement programs."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fproper-vetting-needed-of-afghan-immigrants-enrolled-in-resettlement-programs-rep-comer%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2042171&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>The House Committee on \u2064Oversight\u2062 and Accountability is currently investigating the Biden administration&#8217;s program to relocate Afghan immigrants to the United States. Chairman\u200d James Comer (R-Ky.) has expressed concerns about\u2064 the\u2064 individuals being resettled and their potential \u2062ties to terrorism. This issue has gained attention as many Afghans have \u2063been suspected of having terror\u200b links\u2064 and have failed to provide proper documentation during the transfer process.<\/p>\n<p>In \u200ba letter to officials in charge of the relocation efforts, Mr.\u2064 Comer stated that the committee is investigating\u2063 programs initiated by the \u2064Biden\u2063 administration following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. \u200bHe revealed that over 70,000 former Afghan nationals have been resettled in American communities through these programs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>Related Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/biden-admin-grants-temporary-protections-to-thousands-of-afghan-nationals-5496560?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>Biden Admin Grants Temporary Protections to Thousands of Afghan Nationals<\/strong><\/a>  &#8211; 9\/22\/2023<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/families-of-service-members-killed-in-kabul-attack-demand-accountability-2-years-after-afghan-withdrawal-5482735?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>Families of Service Members Killed in Kabul Attack Demand Accountability 2 \u2064Years\u200b After Afghan Withdrawal<\/strong><\/a>  &#8211; 8\/29\/2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Chairman\u2063 Comer emphasized the need for transparency and \u2062<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/usaid-failed-to-ensure-palestinian-aid-dollars-kept-from-terrorists-gao-says\/\" title=\"USAID Failed to Ensure Palestinian Aid Dollars Kept from Terrorists, GAO Says\">proper vetting procedures<\/a> during the U.S.\u2063 evacuation of \u2062Afghanistan. He called on \u200dCongress to gain more insight into the resettlement programs\u200c and provide answers to the American people.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>The relocation efforts\u2062 were carried out through the Operation Allies Welcome program, led by the U.S. \u2064Department of\u200d State. \u2063The Committee is specifically requesting documents related to the Office of \u2063the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) program, including contracts, agreements, and communications. They are also seeking information on employees \u2064and contractors involved in the \u2063program and the hiring process that led to their appointments. The\u2064 deadline for submitting these documents is Oct. 5.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Committee on \u2063Oversight and Accountability has the authority to investigate \u2063any matter\u2063 at any time, as stated in the letter addressed\u2064 to \u200cDan Forbes and Joel Sandefur, officials \u2062in charge of CARE and the U.S. Agency for International Development.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>Last year, improper vetting of Afghan \u200bnationals was brought to light by Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Ron \u2064Johnson\u200c (R-Wis.). They raised concerns about individuals evacuated from Afghanistan who were on the Biometrically Enabled Watchlist (BEWL), a\u2062 DOD watchlist for potential\u2062 threats to national security.\u2062 The senators cited a whistleblower who alleged that 324 individuals entered \u200dthe United States despite \u200dbeing on the watchlist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>An earlier report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General revealed that about 80,000 Afghans\u2064 brought into the \u200bUnited States were not fully vetted. Many \u200dof them had incomplete names,\u2063 and over 11,000 listed their birth dates \u200das Jan. 1.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>On the same day as Chairman Comer&#8217;s letter, Secretary of\u200b Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced an extension and redesignation of Afghanistan&#8217;s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) \u200bfor \u206318 months. This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/proper-vetting-needed-of-afghan-immigrants-enrolled-in-resettlement-programs-rep-comer\/\" title=\"Rep. Comer emphasizes the importance of properly vetting Afghan immigrants enrolled in resettlement programs.\">decision grants temporary \u200dlegal status<\/a> to Afghan \u200bmigrants, \u2062allowing them to stay in the United States. The\u200c TPS extension applies to 3,100 existing beneficiaries and enables an estimated 14,600 more Afghan nationals to apply for TPS.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>A country is designated with TPS when it faces ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or \u200cother extraordinary\u200c conditions. Afghanistan&#8217;s designation is due to the serious\u2062 threats posed \u2064by armed conflict, lack of access to\u2063 basic necessities, and economic \u2062instability.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>According to Fox News reporter Adam Shaw, the DHS decision also applies to Afghans who crossed into the United States illegally. Border Patrol Chief\u200c Raul Ortiz previously reported a significant increase in the number of illegal immigrants entering the United States, including\u2063 from Afghanistan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>During the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan,\u200b many Afghan\u200b residents supported the U.S. war effort, including interpreters who were promised U.S. visas for their families. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mccaul-blasts-china-for-worst-coverup-in-human-history\/\" title=\"McCaul Blasts China For 'Worst Coverup In Human History'\">special immigrant visa<\/a> (SIV) program allowed them to leave the country. Applications for the program surged, with a significant number of \u200beligible\u2062 individuals seeking \u200bto relocate to the United \u2062States.<\/p>\n<p>Shawn \u200dVanDiver, \u200bpresident and chair\u200b of the board of #AfghanEvac, estimated that between 250,000 and 300,000 Afghan residents were eligible to leave with SIVs, P-1s, and\u200b P-2s, which are visas granting temporary travel permits to the United States.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> \u200dWhat insights and recommendations \u2062can\u2063 be expected\u200c from \u2062the investigation by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability regarding\u200d the resettlement of Afghan immigrants and future policies<\/h2>\n<p><span>  E\u200d Special Inspector General for\u2063 Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) also highlighted the lack of proper vetting procedures during the evacuation process. \u2063The\u200d report stated that due to \u200bthe urgency of the evacuation, background checks\u2062 and security screenings were not conducted adequately, leaving room \u2064for potential security risks.<\/p>\n<p>In \u200cresponse\u2063 to these concerns, the Biden administration introduced the Operation Allies Welcome program to relocate Afghan immigrants to the United States. The program aimed to provide a safe haven\u200b for Afghan nationals who supported the U.S. mission\u2064 in Afghanistan \u2063and were at risk of reprisals from the Taliban. However, \u200bthe lack \u2064of comprehensive vetting processes has\u2062 raised alarm bells among lawmakers and the American\u2064 public.<\/p>\n<p>Chairman Comer&#8217;s\u200b investigation seeks to address these concerns and\u2064 ensure that the individuals being resettled pose no threat to national security. \u200bThe request for documents and information from the officials in charge of the relocation efforts is a step towards holding the\u200b Biden administration\u2064 accountable for its actions and providing clarity to the American people\u2062 about the vetting procedures\u2062 followed.<\/p>\n<p>Transparency and accountability are crucial when dealing with matters of national security. The U.S. government has a\u200c duty to protect its citizens and ensure that those who enter the \u2062country do not pose a risk to public safety. Through this \u2062investigation, the House \u2063Committee on Oversight and Accountability aims to shed\u2063 light on the relocation programs \u200dand identify \u200dany potential loopholes that need\u2064 to be addressed.<\/p>\n<p>The concerns raised by Chairman Comer\u200d are not without basis. The involvement \u2064of Afghans with potential\u2062 ties to terrorism has been a recurring issue. Recent reports have highlighted cases of Afghan individuals who were evacuated\u200c but failed to provide proper documentation or were found to have connections to extremist groups.<\/p>\n<p>Ensuring the safety and\u200d security of the American people should be the top priority, and \u200cany programs\u200c aimed at relocating individuals from high-risk areas must\u2063 be executed with utmost care and diligence. The investigation by\u200b the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability seeks to instill confidence in the American public by ensuring that proper vetting procedures were followed, and any potential threats were\u2062 thoroughly assessed and mitigated.<\/p>\n<p>As the investigation progresses, it is \u2063essential for lawmakers to work together to \u2064find solutions that prioritize national security while \u200calso upholding \u2064the values of compassion and humanitarianism. The United States has a long tradition \u200bof \u200boffering refuge to \u2063those facing persecution and violence, and this should continue. However, it is \u200bcrucial \u200dto strike the \u200bright balance between providing humanitarian assistance and \u2063safeguarding the nation against potential threats.<\/p>\n<p>The outcome of the investigation by the House Committee on \u200bOversight and Accountability will provide valuable insights into \u200bthe relocation programs \u200band\u2063 help shape future policies regarding the resettlement of Afghan immigrants. It\u2062 is an opportunity to learn from \u2064past mistakes, strengthen vetting procedures, and ensure the safety and well-being of both the Afghan immigrants and the American people.<\/p>\n<p>In\u2064 a time of\u2063 global uncertainty and evolving security challenges, it is essential\u2062 for governments\u200d to be responsive and adaptable. The relocation of\u2064 Afghan immigrants to the United States is a complex issue that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utah-bill-barring-transgender-surgeries-for-children-is-toothless\/\" title=\"Utah Bill Barring Transgender Surgeries For Children Is Toothless\">requires careful consideration<\/a> and a comprehensive approach. By\u2063 addressing the concerns raised by Chairman Comer, the U.S. government can demonstrate its commitment to national security and its\u200b responsibility to \u2064protect its citizens while fulfilling its moral obligations to those most in\u2062 need.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the Biden administration&#8217;s Afghan immigrant relocation program. Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has expressed concerns about the resettlement of individuals with potential terror links. This issue has gained attention as numerous Afghans have failed to provide necessary information during the process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":186,"featured_media":2042172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2042171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2042171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/186"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2042171"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2042171\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2042172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2042171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2042171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2042171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}