Senate GOP to probe Biden parole policies
Sens. John Cornyn (R‑Texas) and Josh Hawley (R‑Mo.) will lead a Dec. 16 Senate hearing examining Biden‑era immigration parole programs, citing the D.C. National Guard shooting allegedly carried out by Afghan evacuee Rahmanullah Lakanwal admitted under Operation Allies Welcome. The subcommittee chairs say they have long warned of vetting failures and now seek accountability and policy changes following the killing of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and the wounding of SSgt. Andrew Wolfe.
📌 Key Facts
- Hearing scheduled for Dec. 16, led by Sens. John Cornyn and Josh Hawley
- Focus: Biden‑era immigration parole programs and vetting tied to Operation Allies Welcome
- Case catalyst: Alleged D.C. National Guard shooter Rahmanullah Lakanwal; one Guardsman killed (Sarah Beckstrom) and one wounded (Andrew Wolfe)
📊 Relevant Data
As of May 2023, the Terrorist Screening Center identified 55 Afghan evacuees who were either already on the terrorist watchlist or added to it during the evacuation and resettlement in the United States.
Audit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Participation in the Department of Homeland Security's Operation Allies Welcome — U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General
Approximately 90,000 Afghan evacuees entered the United States from the beginning of the evacuation through March 2022, with around 73,500 paroled into the U.S.
Audit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Participation in the Department of Homeland Security's Operation Allies Welcome — U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General
In 2022, 28 percent of Afghan immigrants ages 25 and older reported having at least a bachelor's degree, compared to 36 percent of the U.S.-born population.
Afghan Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
In 2022, the poverty rate among Afghan immigrants was 39 percent, compared to 12 percent for the U.S.-born population.
Afghan Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
Over a six-week period, there were eight reported cases of robbery and theft among approximately 53,000 Afghan evacuees, compared to more than 150 such reports in a similar-sized U.S. civilian population.
Security Issues Among 'Allies Welcome' Population Often Less Than in Comparable U.S. Populations — U.S. Department of Defense