Major national security vulnerability exposed as DHS reveals how relatives of terror architect allowed into US U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has identified significant national security and public safety risks due to wholly inadequate vetting processes, with many individuals improperly naturalized. This revelation came days before the arrests of two relatives of slain terrorist Qasem Soleimani, who had obtained green cards and asylum status. USCIS is now implementing a comprehensive re-review of applications from individuals from high-risk countries.

• USCIS announced that prior screening and vetting measures were inadequate, leading to improper naturalization and significant national security risks.
• Two relatives of terrorist leader Qasem Soleimani, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and Sarinasadat Hosseiny, were arrested in Los Angeles and are pending removal.
• Both relatives entered the U.S. in 2015, were granted asylum in 2019, and obtained green cards in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
• Soleimani Afshar disclosed travel to Iran after receiving a green card, suggesting fraudulent asylum claims.
• USCIS is conducting a re-review of applications from aliens from high-risk countries who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021.
• The agency is developing a new ‘layered vetting plan’ to close security gaps, incorporating classified information and expanded checks.