NEWYORK, NY – Eight men with ties to the global terrorist organization ISIS have been captured in New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Sources within the law enforcement claim all eight men gained access into the United States through the southern border.
At this time, it is not known if the group is planning terrorist attacks in those cities.
Eight individuals from Tajikistan, suspected of having ties with ISIS, were arrested following a multi-city investigation in the U.S. The suspects had entered the country through the southern border last year and were initially cleared by national security vetting processes.
According to ABC News sources, the individuals were apprehended in New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Recent investigations revealed potential affiliations with the terrorist group ISIS, prompting their arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents over the last few days.
Details regarding the specifics of the New York City investigation remain undisclosed. Currently, no terrorism charges have been filed against the suspects, but deportation efforts are in motion.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a joint statement regarding the operation. They emphasized that the arrests were conducted in collaboration with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces and that the suspects are being held in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. Both agencies reiterated the ongoing high-threat level in the U.S. and committed to continuous efforts to counteract threats to national security.
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“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,” DHS said. “The individuals arrested are detained in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. As the FBI and DHS have recently described in public and partner bulletins, the U.S. has been in a heightened threat environment. The FBI and DHS will continue working around the clock with our partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt potential threats to national security.”