Sen. Portman expresses concerns regarding Afghan evacuee vetting

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) expressed concerns this week after a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report detailed insufficient vetting procedures for Afghan evacuees arriving domestically.

The lawmaker noted the DHS OIG report followed a Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General report determining Afghan evacuees were not vetted using all available DoD data.

“It is very concerning that the OIG sent DHS a notice of the urgent need to take action to address security risks posed by Afghan evacuees already paroled into the United States and that DHS continues to deny there is a problem, even as the FBI is investigating evacuees paroled into our country that have been flagged as potential threats to our national security,” Portman, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said in a written statement. “I urge the administration to change course and accept the recommendations made by the OIG to immediately identify all evacuees from Afghanistan who are in the United States and provide evidence of full screening and vetting as well as develop a comprehensive plan for future emergency situations so they can account for, screen, vet, and inspect all individuals during unprecedented events.”

Portman noted while he supports the resettlement of Afghans who stood in battle with the United States and its allies over the last 20 years, he acknowledged as the nation approaches the 21st anniversary of 9/11, the country faces an increased threat due to the Biden Administration’s evacuation of Afghans without rigorous or thorough vetting.