A recent analysis by the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security has revealed that “foreign jihadist networks and homegrown violent extremists” continue to pose a “persistent terror threat to America.” This comprehensive study uncovered over 50 instances across 29 states from April 2021 to September 2024, highlighting numerous efforts to aid Islamic designated foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), including ISIS, Hezbollah, and al Qaeda. These efforts ranged from providing material support to receiving military-style training from ISIS and Hezbollah, as well as engaging in fraudulent activities.
The instances of jihadist activities were recorded in states such as Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
The committee has drawn attention to the fact that threats against Americans increased significantly following a devastating attack by ISIS-K in Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, which resulted in the death of 13 U.S. servicemen and women. Furthermore, the terrorist assault executed by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to approximately 1,200 deaths and 200 hostages, marked another surge in terrorism threats.
Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., expressed concern over the evolving and intensifying landscape of terror threats against the United States, attributing part of the blame to the Biden-Harris administration’s policies, including the manner of withdrawal from Afghanistan and the repercussions of the Hamas attacks on Israel. He emphasized the role of the Department of Homeland Security in safeguarding the American populace from these emerging threats, signaling a red alert for the nation’s security apparatus.
Noteworthy in the report are details of convictions involving foreign nationals and U.S. citizens, predominantly Muslim men, across 29 states for various offenses related to terrorism. These include a Turkish national in Kentucky convicted for assisting ISIS and receiving military-style training, two Jordanians arrested for attempting to infiltrate Marine Base Quantico, and a British Muslim who took Jewish worshippers hostage in a Texas synagogue, among others.
The document also spotlights measures taken by the Departments of Justice and Treasury against entities and individuals linked to Islamic terrorist organizations. This report comes two decades after the tragic events of September 11, orchestrated by al Qaeda, and follows warnings by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about potential terrorism threats around the November election and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Moreover, the report raises concerns about the effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, established by Congress in 2002 through the Homeland Security Act. According to recent assessments by the Office of Inspector General, there are significant lapses in the current practices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, notably in their ability to prevent the entry of high-risk individuals without proper identification. Additionally, doubts have been cast on the Transportation Security Administration’s capability to adequately vet and screen passengers, potentially allowing high-risk individuals to board domestic flights.
