Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) have reintroduced the Afghan Vetting Accountability Act, a bill that will attempt to make necessary changes to "ensure full screening and vetting of evacuees to keep our nation safe." After former President Joe Biden's (D) botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report in 2022 detailing the administration's failure to properly vet the more than 79,000 Afghan refugees let into the United States.
The OIG found that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) "may have admitted or paroled individuals into the United States who pose a risk to national security and the safety of local communities." President Donald Trump (R) has paused the U.S. refugee program since arriving at the White House on Jan. 20.
Sen. Scott stated that President Biden's withdrawal was "an international embarrassment" that led to terrorists gaining control in the region.
“President Joe Biden’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan was an international embarrassment and massive national security failure that led to the loss of 13 American soldiers and put Americans at risk both abroad and on U.S. soil," said Scott. "Not only was the United States humiliated in our exit from the country, allowing a full and immediate takeover by the Taliban, Biden allowed thousands of evacuees to come into the United States without comprehensive vetting simply because they showed up to the airport, including violent individuals and a dangerous terrorist."
Furthermore, the former Florida governor mentioned that President Trump is justified in reviewing the refugee program.
"The United States is a welcoming country with gratitude to those who have helped us, but President Trump is absolutely right to review this program, and make serious changes to ensure the safety of both Americans and those who helped us overseas. My Afghan Vetting Accountability Act will ensure full vetting of evacuees before they enter our nation and better coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement working to keep our families safe," concluded Scott.
Moreover, Sen. Ernst said, “We have already seen the dangers of the Biden administration’s vetting failures. I am protecting Americans by ensuring that those already here and anyone seeking to enter are able to pass the highest levels of scrutiny and vetting. The safety of our citizens must always come first.”
Per Sen. Scott's press release, the Afghan Vetting Accountability Act would accomplish the following:
Require the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner to:
- Immediately identify evacuees from Afghanistan who arrived in the U.S. between July 2021 and January 2022 and provide evidence of full screening and vetting based on confirmed identification of those evacuees.
- Ensure that recurring and periodic vetting processes for all paroled evacuees are carried out for the duration of their parole period in the U.S.
- Provide evidence to the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and relevant law enforcement agencies at the state and local levels that the full screening, vetting, and recurring vetting processes have been completed.
Require the Secretary of Homeland Security and the DHS Office of Inspector General to issue a report to Congress no later than 180 days after the date of enactment, detailing the results of screening and vetting efforts, including the number of evacuees who were ineligible for admission to the U.S. and the specific reasons for their ineligibility.
