A third Afghan national has been arrested in the US for providing “material support” to ISIS-K. Authorities said the arrest comes days after another Afghan, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, shot two National Guard soldiers. Officials emphasized the move targets individuals with ties to terrorist groups.
The suspect, Jaan Shah Shafi, entered the US in 2021 under former President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome. DHS stated that Shafi provided weapons to his father, a militia commander in Afghanistan. He was arrested in Waynesboro, Virginia, following the termination of his Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
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Shafi’s TPS application ended after DHS Secretary Kristi Noem suspended Afghan TPS protections. The press release noted that nearly 190,000 Afghan nationals entered the US during the Biden administration. Authorities highlighted that resettlement programs had strict screening measures to protect American citizens.
The arrest follows related cases, including Lakanwal, accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers near the White House. Another Afghan man, Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, was charged with threatening to build a bomb and carry out a suicide attack. Officials warned that investigations into ISIS-K support are ongoing.
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US authorities said all operations aim to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent attacks. They emphasized that cooperation between federal and local law enforcement is crucial. Officials reiterated their commitment to national security and the safety of citizens.