Eight Tajikistanis suspected of having links to ISIS arrested in the United States, source says

Eight individuals from Tajikistan suspected of having ties to ISIS, who crossed the southern border of the United States last year and this year, were arrested in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York, according to a close source of the investigation.

The suspects were initially allowed to enter the United States after being screened and no national security concerns were found, the source said.

Later, and in recent weeks, authorities discovered derogatory information indicating links or affiliation with ISIS and the suspects were sought and arrested.

Efforts are underway to deport the suspects because authorities have not gathered enough evidence to bring terrorism charges.

“Over the past several days, ICE agents have arrested several non-citizens in compliance with immigration authorities,” the FBI and Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

“These actions were carried out in close coordination with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces. Arrested individuals are being detained at ICE facilities pending deportation proceedings. As the FBI and the DHS recently described in public and partner bulletins, the United States finds itself in a heightened crisis situation “The FBI and DHS will continue to work around the clock with our partners to identify, investigate and neutralize threats. potential to national security,” the statement said.