8 people with suspected ties to ISIS arrested in New York CIty, Philly and LA: sources
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Eight individuals with suspected ties to ISIS were arrested after an investigation was carried out in New York City, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, according to ABC News sources.
The suspects were reportedly from Tajikistan and crossed into the United States from the southern border in 2023.
ABC News has learned the suspects were initially allowed to enter the U.S. after being vetted and no national security issues were uncovered.
But sources say in recent weeks, authorities uncovered information indicating ties or affiliation with ISIS.
Agents with ICE carried out the arrests over the last few days.
Further details on the investigation in New York City were not immediately available.
Efforts are underway to deport the suspects. No terrorism charges have been filed.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security released this statement on the arrests:
"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. 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."
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