Fact Check: The Biden administration resettled Afghans listed on the federal Terrorism Watch List.

Fact Check: "The Biden administration resettled Afghans listed on the federal Terrorism Watch List."

What We Know

The claim that the Biden administration resettled Afghans who are listed on the federal Terrorism Watch List is a serious allegation that requires careful examination. The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (DOJ OIG) conducted an audit regarding Afghan evacuees, which includes discussions about the screening processes involved in their resettlement. The audit indicates that the screening for Afghan evacuees involved multiple layers of checks, including the use of the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) database, which maintains the federal terrorism watchlist.

Moreover, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has outlined its role in maintaining and updating the Terrorist Screening Center, which consolidates information from various sources to create a comprehensive watchlist. This suggests that there are mechanisms in place to prevent individuals on the watchlist from being resettled in the U.S.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stated that it is committed to resettling vulnerable Afghans, but it has not explicitly confirmed that any individuals on the Terrorism Watch List were included in these resettlement efforts. The DHS has emphasized that all individuals undergo thorough vetting processes before being allowed to enter the country.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim is mixed and requires a nuanced understanding. The DOJ OIG report does not provide direct evidence that Afghans on the Terrorism Watch List were resettled; rather, it emphasizes the protocols in place to screen individuals. The FBI's documentation of the TSC indicates that there are strict measures to ensure that individuals on the watchlist are not allowed entry into the U.S. This suggests that while there may have been individuals who were flagged during the vetting process, the system is designed to prevent their resettlement.

However, the lack of explicit public statements from the DHS or other government agencies confirming or denying the resettlement of individuals on the watchlist adds to the ambiguity of the situation. The claim may stem from concerns about the vetting process and the complexities involved in resettling a large number of evacuees under urgent circumstances, but without concrete evidence, it remains speculative.

The sources used in this analysis include government audits and official statements, which are generally reliable but can be subject to interpretation. The DOJ OIG and FBI reports are credible sources, but they do not provide definitive proof regarding the claim in question. The potential for bias exists in interpretations of the data, particularly from political entities or organizations with vested interests in the narrative surrounding the Biden administration's policies.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified
The claim that the Biden administration resettled Afghans listed on the federal Terrorism Watch List is unverified. While there are robust screening processes in place to prevent individuals on the watchlist from being resettled, there is no definitive evidence confirming that any such individuals were indeed resettled. The ambiguity in public statements and the complexity of the resettlement process contribute to the uncertainty surrounding this claim.

Fact Check: The Biden administration resettled Afghans listed on the federal Terrorism Watch List.