Biden DHS exempted thousands of immigrants from terror-related entry restrictions in FY 2024

The Biden administration has come under scrutiny for granting nearly 7,000 exemptions, primarily to refugees, for foreign nationals who would otherwise be ineligible for admission into the U.S. due to terrorism-related entry restrictions. This number is significantly higher than in recent years, with 6,653 of the exemptions granted to refugees.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary has the authority to exempt foreign nationals from terrorism-related inadmissibility grounds (TRIG) under certain circumstances, such as providing support under duress or medical care. In FY 2024, a total of 6,848 exemptions were granted, a substantial increase from previous years.

The majority of exemptions were for refugees, but the report does not provide a breakdown by country. The Biden administration has raised the refugee cap to 125,000, a significant increase from the previous administration. The increase in exemptions comes amid a mass evacuation effort of nationals from Afghanistan as the Taliban took control of the country in 2021.

In 2022, exemptions were announced for Afghan evacuees who worked as civil servants or provided limited material support to designated terror groups. The exemptions were also granted to those who supported U.S. interests in Afghanistan, civil servants, and individuals who provided limited support to terror organizations.

The Biden administration has faced criticism from Republicans and former Trump administration officials for what they perceive as lax immigration policies and a failure to address the potential risks of terrorism. The administration has defended the exemptions, stating that all applicants undergo a thorough security vetting process.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized that the exemptions are granted to individuals who pose no national security or public safety risk and are committed to helping Afghan allies and their families. The use of TRIG exemptions has been controversial, with concerns raised about the broad definition of terrorism-related activity and the potential risks involved in granting exemptions.

Despite the criticism, the Biden administration continues to stand by its decision to grant exemptions to foreign nationals in need of asylum, refugee status, or other legal immigration status. The administration has cited previous usage of TRIG exemptions in other conflicts, such as the Lebanese civil war, as precedent for their decision-making process.

Overall, the Biden administration’s handling of TRIG exemptions continues to be a point of contention, with both supporters and critics weighing in on the potential risks and benefits of granting exemptions to foreign nationals with ties to terrorism.