A group of Uzbek nationals who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and claimed asylum in the United States are now under investigation by federal authorities.
New intelligence has revealed that these individuals relied on the assistance of a human trafficker who is linked to a "foreign terrorist organization," according to confirmation from Fox News on Tuesday.
Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated in a message to Fox News that "intelligence reporting alerted us to a human smuggling network working to facilitate the travel of Uzbek nationals to the United States." She emphasized that the U.S. government took immediate action to disrupt the network, as it preys on vulnerable individuals and seeks to evade legal systems.
The intelligence community's report also indicated that one member of the smuggling network had a connection to a foreign terrorist organization. However, Watson clarified that there is no evidence to suggest that any of the individuals facilitated by this network have ties to a foreign terrorist organization or are involved in plotting a terrorist attack in the United States.
In response to this information, the U.S. government has been working to identify all those who entered the country with the help of this smuggling network. These individuals are being thoroughly vetted against national security and public safety systems, and those who fit the profile associated with the network are being placed into expedited removal and detained pending removal.
The U.S. government collaborated with a foreign partner government to detain key members of the network, including the individual linked to the foreign terrorist organization, and successfully disrupt their smuggling activities. Efforts are also underway to shut down the travel routes used by individuals associated with this network, with the United States sharing relevant information with foreign counterparts to prevent their travel to this hemisphere.
Watson concluded by stating that the National Security Council recognizes human smuggling as a global issue and is committed to staying ahead of this evolving threat.
CNN initially reported that migrants from Uzbekistan had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this year and were screened by the Department of Homeland Security. However, nothing in the intelligence community's databases raised any concerns at the time. Subsequently, the FBI learned about a smuggling network, which included at least one person with ties to ISIS, that was assisting migrants from Uzbekistan in coming to the United States.
An FBI spokesperson emphasized that while no specific terrorism plot has been identified among the foreign nationals who recently entered the United States at the southern border, the FBI is always vigilant in working with its field offices, domestic and international partners, to identify potential illegal activity or terrorism threats. The spokesperson urged anyone with information about federal crimes or threats to public safety to report it to the FBI.
The newfound intelligence has prompted urgent meetings among top national security and administration officials. Staffers on key congressional committees have also been notified about the situation. Turkish authorities have detained the alleged human smuggler at the request of the United States.
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