Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act: DHS Ordered to Report on Syrian Terrorist Threats Within 60 Days

The "Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act" mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to figure out how big a threat the U.S. faces from individuals in Syria linked to terrorist groups. This isn't about general threats; it's specifically about people connected to organizations already labeled as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act) or Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organizations (via Executive Order 13224).

Tracking Terrorist Threats

This bill directs the DHS, along with other federal agencies, to dive deep into identifying these individuals. The assessment has to detail:

• Where They're From: The report must list the country of origin for each individual.
• Who They're With: It needs to specify which terrorist organization each person is affiliated with.
• Can We Track Them?: DHS has to assess its own ability to identify, track, and monitor these individuals. If there are roadblocks, those need to be laid out, too. For example, it is difficult to track an individual who has no social media presence, or who is part of a small, lesser-known terrorist cell.
• What's Being Done: The report must outline actions DHS is taking to mitigate the threats and, crucially, prevent these individuals from entering the United States.

Reporting to Congress

Within 60 days of this Act becoming law, the Secretary of Homeland Security has to submit the completed threat assessment to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. A briefing on the assessment is also required.

For example, imagine a scenario in which a construction worker, originally from a country with known terrorist ties, becomes radicalized while working in Syria and joins a designated terrorist group. This bill aims to ensure DHS is aware of such individuals, can track their movements (if possible), and takes steps to prevent them from entering the U.S. It's about connecting the dots between individuals in Syria, their affiliations, and the potential risk they pose to U.S. security. The requirement for inter-agency coordination acknowledges that DHS can't do this alone – it will likely need help from intelligence agencies and others to build a complete picture. The 60-day deadline pushes for relatively quick action, reflecting the urgency often associated with counter-terrorism efforts.