US federal agents have arrested eight previously released illegal Tajikistan nationals with ties to terrorism. The arrests, reported by the New York Post, occurred in Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia.
The Tajikistanis had previously entered the US via the southern border and were “screened” by officials at the time but were quickly released and allowed to disappear into the US. Not-so-quick investigators later discovered possible links of the eight to ISIS overseas, prompting a federal investigation and their subsequent arrests on immigration charges.
The eight now face either removal or possible terrorism-related charges, though the ever-understanding DHS is signaling it’s going to give them the benefit of every doubt, so they could just as easily be let loose again. In language likely borrowed from the feds, The Post article reads:
Of those arrested, a small subset is believed to have espoused concerning extremist rhetoric, according to the source, and it is unclear whether the remaining people were arrested for their mere association with the other people arrested.
Enough weasel words for you? Even money they’re released.
For more, see the NY Post.