U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for clear details on the vetting process used for evacuees out of Afghanistan before they enter the United States to ensure the U.S. is not granting entry to dangerous individuals or child traffickers.
“I write to seek more clarity regarding the admission and vetting of refugees and other individuals from Afghanistan. While admitting those who served alongside U.S. forces and those who would face religious persecution is laudable, there is a great deal of public confusion as to the full scope of those who are entering the U.S. following the fall of Afghanistan’s government to the Taliban and the subsequent U.S. withdrawal,” Daines wrote.
“As you know, there is significant concern with admitting large numbers of immigrants from a war-torn country like Afghanistan, which has a lack of comprehensive records from which to screen most people. Further, this administration’s calamitous and rushed withdrawal has significantly eroded public trust given reports that more than 120,000 people were evacuated, yet most Special Immigrant Visa applicants and a number of U.S. citizens were left behind. Equally as concerning, there are numerous media reports of potential child trafficking cases involving ‘child brides’ and of women and children being subjected to sexual abuse prior to their departure from Afghanistan,” Daines continued.
Read the letter HERE.
Following a meeting with Montana veterans in August, Daines demanded answers from the Biden administration about the Americans and Afghan allies left behind and the vetting process for individuals who are being brought to the United States.
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Contact: Katherine McKeogh, Katie Schoettler