Over 5,000 Afghan Evacuees Flagged for National Security Concerns After U.S. Withdrawal

Washington, D.C. — November 30, 2025

More than 5,000 Afghan evacuees brought to the United States following the 2021 military withdrawal have been identified as potential national security risks, according to recently disclosed data from the Department of Homeland Security. The figures shed new light on the widespread challenges that plagued the screening process for tens of thousands of Afghans admitted under Operation Allies Welcome, the emergency evacuation program created at the height of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Persistent Concerns About Vetting and Security Oversight

According to a letter submitted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to lawmakers in September, a total of 6,868 evacuees were found to have "potential derogatory information" on record. Of these, 5,005 individuals raised national security concerns, 956 were flagged for possible public safety risks, and another 876 were linked to suspected fraud or misrepresentation.

As of September 2024, 885 of those flagged for national security issues still awaited resolution, with background investigations ongoing. The disclosure has reignited debate over Operation Allies Welcome, which brought over 70,000 Afghans to the U.S. in a matter of weeks amid the rapid collapse of Kabul.

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the data following a months-long inquiry into vetting procedures. “For years, I’ve been warning about the weaknesses in this program,” Grassley said, “and this week’s tragic events only confirm those fears.” He praised the administration’s recent engagement but stressed that “systemic problems remain” in how evacuees are screened and monitored.

A Violent Incident Raises Fresh Questions

The data’s release follows a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., that has intensified scrutiny of the program. Authorities have charged Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 32, an Afghan evacuee who entered the United States through Operation Allies Welcome, with murder and attempted murder after a shooting that left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured.

According to law enforcement reports, Lakanwal previously worked alongside U.S. intelligence officials in Afghanistan. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed his role as a former intelligence collaborator, adding that “he should never have been allowed to come here.” The case has prompted immediate calls for a security review of all pending Afghan cases and associated vetting procedures.

In response, President Trump ordered a comprehensive reassessment of screening protocols for migrants from 19 high-risk regions and for all asylum cases approved during the prior administration. The White House described the move as a “preventive measure to protect U.S. national security interests and rebuild trust in the immigration system.”

Operation Allies Welcome: A Tense Legacy

Operation Allies Welcome was launched in August 2021 as U.S. forces withdrew from Kabul under immense pressure to evacuate American allies, translators, and at-risk Afghans. The program offered expedited entry and humanitarian parole for those deemed in “urgent humanitarian need.” However, officials at the time faced immense logistical and security challenges. In many cases, biometric checks and intelligence background reviews were abbreviated or performed in overseas transit hubs under chaotic conditions.

Homeland Security Inspector General reports over the past two years have highlighted systemic failures within the process. One review described “significant obstacles” to screening all evacuees and criticized a "fragmented and inconsistent approach to information sharing" between intelligence and law enforcement agencies. A Justice Department audit in mid-2023 found that at least 55 individuals who were later placed on federal terror watch lists entered the country by May 2023, including some who were added to the list after their arrival.

“The evacuation process prioritized speed over security,” the Inspector General’s report noted. “That urgency led to unavoidable lapses, increasing the possibility that individuals with malicious intent could exploit the system.”

Historical Context: Lessons from Previous Refugee Admissions

The challenges facing Afghan resettlement are not without precedent. In past decades, large-scale U.S. evacuations from conflict zones—such as the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s or Iraqi interpreters in the early 2000s—also required rapid mobilization and led to similar concerns over vetting standards.

Unlike those earlier efforts, however, the Afghan evacuation unfolded in an era of heightened global terrorism threats, extensive biometric databases, and advanced digital screening systems. Analysts now argue that the balance between humanitarian obligations and national security vetting has never been more delicate.

“Every large-scale evacuation carries inherent risk,” said former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker. “But the only responsible path forward is rigorous, case-by-case verification. There’s no substitute for having analysts and agents critically review each file with consistent disqualification criteria.”

Legal and Policy Ramifications

The newly released data could bolster legislative efforts to reform U.S. asylum and refugee screening frameworks. Lawmakers from both parties have called for enhanced interagency coordination, expanded biometric data sharing with allies, and stricter verification of Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants. Some proposals under discussion include mandatory re-screening of evacuees every five years and the creation of a specialized task force to monitor individuals with ongoing security flags.

Critics of these reforms warn that blanket scrutiny risks stigmatizing tens of thousands of Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during the war, many of whom have successfully integrated into American communities. Advocacy organizations emphasize that the majority of evacuees pose no threat and have made meaningful contributions through work, education, and public service.

Still, the presence of thousands of unresolved cases underscores the tension between security vigilance and humanitarian duty. Officials estimate that approximately 60 percent of those flagged remain on temporary parole status while awaiting final adjudication.

Recent Criminal Cases Tied to Evacuees

A string of high-profile investigations in recent years has reinforced concerns about latent national security risks within the Afghan evacuee population. In October 2024, federal prosecutors charged Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi and Abdullah Haji Zada, both Afghan nationals, with plotting an ISIS-inspired attack aimed at disrupting elections in Oklahoma City. Tawhedi, who entered on a Special Immigrant Visa and previously worked as a CIA security contractor, pleaded guilty to providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and now faces up to 35 years in prison. Zada received a 15-year sentence after admitting to aiding the plot.

These cases have prompted renewed calls for intelligence coordination between the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Defense—agencies that historically operated under separate screening systems during the Afghan evacuation.

Economic and Social Impact of the Resettlement Program

Beyond the security dimension, the Afghan resettlement operation has left a significant economic and social footprint across dozens of U.S. states. Federal and local governments, working with nonprofit resettlement agencies, have invested billions of dollars in housing, education, and employment assistance for new arrivals. Communities in Texas, California, and Virginia have seen the highest concentration of Afghan evacuees, with many now adjusting to permanent residence status.

Economists note that the rapid influx of evacuees added both labor supply and fiscal pressures to local systems. While Afghan refugees have contributed to workforce growth in sectors such as logistics, hospitality, and construction, state officials have also faced mounting costs for housing and language support. The balance between economic benefits and resource strain continues to vary sharply by region, reflecting broader debates over immigration’s local impact.

Comparisons to Other International Resettlement Efforts

Globally, the Afghan evacuation ranks among the largest airlift and resettlement efforts since the fall of Saigon in 1975. By comparison, Canada accepted around 40,000 Afghan refugees, and the United Kingdom resettled approximately 21,000 people through its Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy. Both nations reported similar difficulties with vetting processes during the evacuation period, though at smaller scales.

In Canada, roughly 2 percent of applicants required enhanced screening due to inconsistent records. The U.K. government acknowledged “potential risk cases” within its intake but emphasized ongoing cooperation with U.S. intelligence partners. Analysts note that the scale and speed of the U.S. program exceeded those of allied nations by a wide margin, amplifying the administrative and security strains inherent to such missions.

Moving Forward: Calls for Accountability and Reform

With thousands of cases still unresolved, the Department of Homeland Security faces growing pressure to complete its background reviews and implement permanent screening reforms. The department has pledged to deploy additional analysts and automate portions of the vetting workflow to accelerate reviews without compromising accuracy.

Senator Grassley and other lawmakers have vowed continued oversight. “This situation demands accountability, not excuses,” Grassley said. “Our national security depends on making sure this never happens again.”

Security experts caution that similar humanitarian crises could arise in other parts of the world, prompting renewed discussions on how the United States balances emergency evacuation with long-term national security. As investigations continue, the legacy of Operation Allies Welcome remains a stark reminder of the complex interplay between compassion, urgency, and vigilance in modern immigration policy.

The latest revelations suggest that while most Afghan evacuees have become valued members of American society, the small fraction flagged for potential risks will continue to drive political debate, policy scrutiny, and procedural reform well into the future.