8 suspected ISIS terrorists arrested in NY, crossed border illegally: Feds
NEW YORK - Eight people from Tajikistan with suspected ties to ISIS were arrested in a sting operation in New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.
Sources tell FOX News reports that the eight people all crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, and were processed by Border Patrol.
Only after they were released into the U.S., were they flagged with national security concerns and ISIS ties.
The source was unable to tell FOX News when and where the suspects crossed the border.
After the sting, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI released a joint statement:
"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," the statement said.
Police officers with their guns drawn hear the second explosion down the street. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FBI Director Christopher Wray has said the U.S. is facing accelerating threats from homegrown violent extremists as well as foreign terrorist organizations, particularly in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.
"But now, increasingly concerned, is the potential for a coordinated attack here in the homeland, akin to the ISIS-K attack we saw at the Russia concert…" Wray told a House Appropriations subcommittee.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Appropriations Committee on April 11, 2024 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Photo by Julia Nikhinson/Getty Images)
What is ISIS-K?
ISIS-K, the Islamic State Khorasan, is an extreme branch of the Islamic State militant group, founded in 2014.
Although the group has concentrated on Russia, numerous Western leaders have warned of their ability to launch attacks on Europe and the U.S.
"Exactly what that network is up to is something that’s, again, the subject of our current investigation."
FBI, Homeland Security warn of possible Pride Month threats
Federal agencies are warning that foreign terrorist organizations or their supporters might target LGBTQ-related events and venues as part of the June Pride Month.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued the announcement May 10 to raise awareness of "foreign terrorist organizations" or their supporters potentially targeting such events and venues.
The announcement did not specify any locations or indicate the agencies were tracking any specific threats.
Pride Month is a particularly important time in the LGBTQ rights movement as a way to advocate for specific issues and to celebrate.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.