Federal authorities arrested eight foreign nationals with possible ties to ISIS in multiple cities across the United States.

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended the Tajikistani nationals in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia, and they are currently facing immigration charges, the officials said,” CBS News reports.

The individuals entered the United States by crossing the southern border and were released into the country with notices to appear in immigration court.

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🚨 Eight suspected ISIS-K terrorists have been arrested in Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia.

They illegally crossed the southern border earlier this year — and were RELEASED INTO THE U.S. by the Biden administration. pic.twitter.com/4B5pFZh06s

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 11, 2024

CBS News reports:

There was no active terror plot, and the sources said information of concern came to the attention of law enforcement at least in part through a wiretap after the individuals had crossed into the U.S.

The news of the apprehensions was first reported by the New York Post.

The arrests occurred within months after FBI Director Christopher Wray warned in April that human smuggling operations at the southern border were bringing in people with possible connections to terror groups.

Sources familiar with the operation said the individuals had been vetted by law enforcement upon entering the U.S., and there was no indication that they had ties to ISIS at the time. Law enforcement subsequently became concerned with their presence in the U.S. and took action, the officials said.

BREAKING: 8 alleged ISIS terrorists from Tajikistan arrested in NYC & Philadelphia

According to NBC News, all 8 men “crossed through the southern border into the United States and their criminal backgrounds checks came back clean.”

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 11, 2024

8 illegal immigrants, suspected ISIS terrorists arrested in New York, Philly, LA after crossing borderhttps://t.co/izNmKQDsS3

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 12, 2024

Per NewsNation:

The individuals from Tajikistan entered the country last spring and passed through the U.S. government’s screening process without turning up information that would have identified them as potential terrorism-related concerns, said one of the people familiar with the matter.

A joint statement from the FBI and DHS confirmed the arrests:

“Over the last few days, ICE agents arrested several non-citizens pursuant to immigration authorities. The actions were carried out in close coordination with the FBI’s joint terrorism task forces. … The FBI and DHS will continue working around the clock with our partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt potential threats to national security.”

Sources familiar with the operation said the individuals had been vetted by law enforcement upon entering the U.S., and there was no indication that they had ties to ISIS at the time.

However, law enforcement subsequently became concerned with their presence in the States and took action, officials said.

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