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Eight Tajiks Arrested by ICE in Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia: Islamic State Khorasan (ISK) Strike Team Concerns

C/O Futures Terrorism Research Note Series

Robert J. Bunker and Pamela Ligouri Bunker

17 June 2024


A news story broke on 11 June 2024 that eight Tajik (initially identified as Russian) nationals were arrested on immigration charges by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia. The arrestees had entered the country illegally via the Mexican border with the United States and requested asylum— some as early as the spring of 2023. These pre-emptive arrests were requested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) over concerns that these individuals were linked to the Islamic State Khorasan (ISK). This terrorist group has used Tajiks in its strike teams that have engaged in (or have been involved in plots related to) terrorist attacks in Iran, Russia, and Germany. Wiretap information indicated that bombs were mentioned in communications and/or conversations by at least one of the arrestees.



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