Mayorkas refuses to answer questions about Afghans accused of terrorist attack on Election Day

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas refused to answer questions Thursday about an Afghan national accused of an Election Day terror attack on behalf of ISIS, citing continued concerns about the vetting of those brought to the United States

Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich asked Mayorkas at a White House briefing about Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, who was arrested and charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide material support to ISIS and obtaining a weapon to commit a felony or federal terrorism crime.

The file on the case initially said that Tawhedi entered the USA on a special immigrant visa in September 2021, after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, and was now on probation. However, officials have since clarified that he came to the U.S. on parole for humanitarian reasons and later applied for SIV status.

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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, DC on October 1. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Heinrich asked Mayorkas how Tawhedi was brought to the United States and what examinations he underwent. But Mayorkas said he wanted to focus on the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. He was in North Carolina and attended the meeting remotely.

“Over 200 people lost their lives in Hurricane Helene. We have reports that at least 10 people have lost their lives due to Hurricane Milton. And I would like to answer your question in a different setting, but we” “We are here to talk about emergencies and the support we can provide to people in dire need,” he said.

Heinrich asked again, specifically asking why he hadn't prepared answers, but Mayorkas said that wasn't the case.

“What I said is that I would like to discuss this topic at another time, but I am here to talk about disasters that have impacted people's lives in real time. And that is a topic that I am addressing today,” he said.

Heinrich asked again, but Mayorkas again refused.

“Jacqui, your persistence in asking questions rivals my persistence in answering,” he said.

After the exchange, a senior administration official told Fox News that Tawhedi had been checked three times. He was first checked for his security duties for the CIA in Afghanistan, then for humanitarian parole to enter the United States in 2021, where he was screened and vetted in a third country, and then for special immigration status, for which he was approved. His status has not yet been finally clarified. Officials believe he was radicalized after entering the United States

There is also no indication that there were warning signs at any point in the process that should have prevented him from entering the country. His alleged co-conspirator in the case entered the country in 2018 and also passed the exam to obtain a green card.

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi makes the “Tawhid” gesture. (Ministry of Justice)

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The U.S. received more than 97,000 evacuees during the 2021 evacuation, about 77,000 of whom were paroled on humanitarian grounds under a program called Operation Allies Welcome.

But the new case has renewed concerns about the program's review, which has been identified for years by DHS's internal watchdog and Republicans in Congress. In 2022 the DHS Office of Inspector General released a report finding that officials “did not always have important data to properly screen, investigate or inspect evacuees.”

“As a result, DHS may have admitted or paroled individuals into the United States who pose a risk to national security and the safety of local communities,” the report said.

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A Pentagon inspector general report That same year, it was revealed that at least 50 evacuees were brought to the U.S. whose information indicated “potentially serious safety concerns” and that officials were unable to locate dozens with derogatory information.

A 2024 report found “weaknesses” in two DHS agencies’ procedures for clearing derogatory information. It also found that DHS had no process in place to monitor the expiration of the two-year probation period and that the guidelines for determining “re-parole” for parolees were “undefined.”

The Biden administration has repeatedly defended the vetting process, arguing that it is a multi-layered process that includes secret and unclassified reviews, including using Pentagon and FBI databases as well as Interpol notices and other information.

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“Afghan evacuees seeking entry to the United States underwent a multi-layered screening and vetting process based on intelligence, law enforcement and counterterrorism information,” a DHS spokesperson said Wednesday. “If new information emerges after it arrives, appropriate action will be taken.”

But the latest revelation has only fueled concerns among Republicans. In a letter to Mayorkas on Tuesday, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., said it was “unacceptable that the Biden-Harris administration is woefully failing to commit to action to protect U.S. national security.” “by allowing suspected terrorists into the interior of the United States to plan terrorist attacks.”

Matteo Cina of Fox News contributed to this report.