This bill mandates recurrent vetting of Afghan evacuees admitted into the U.S. between July 2021 and January 2022 to ensure national security and public safety. It requires the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify, screen, and vet these evacuees, and report the findings to Congress.
Rick Scott
Senator
FL
This bill mandates the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify and conduct recurrent vetting of Afghan evacuees paroled into the U.S. between July 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, who were not properly vetted before entry. It requires full screening and vetting using law enforcement and terrorist screening databases, prioritizing those who arrived without identification, and mandates ongoing vetting throughout their parole period. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the DHS Inspector General must submit a report to Congress detailing the findings, results, and the number of evacuees found ineligible for admission.
New Bill Mandates Re-Vetting of Afghan Evacuees: Potential for Profiling and Hurdles for Those Already Here
The new bill, "SEC. 1. Afghan vetting and accountability," orders U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to re-vet Afghan evacuees who entered the U.S. between July 2021 and January 2022. This comes after Congress found that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had "challenges" in the initial screening, citing issues like incomplete data and missing documents. Basically, they're saying the first round of checks might not have been thorough enough, and some people who pose a risk may have slipped through.
Second Round of Scrutiny
This bill isn't just about a do-over; it's setting up a whole new system of ongoing checks. Within 30 days of this law passing, CBP has to identify all Afghan evacuees who were paroled into the U.S. during that six-month period and are still here. Then, they have to conduct "full screening and vetting" for each person, using law enforcement and international terrorist screening databases. The bill specifically prioritizes those who arrived without identity documents (Section 1(b)).
What does "full screening" mean? The bill doesn't actually define that, which is a red flag. It does mention using various databases, but the lack of specifics leaves room for potentially inconsistent or even biased practices. It also mandates ongoing, regular vetting, including possible in-person interviews, for as long as these individuals are allowed to stay in the U.S. under parole (Section 1(b)).
Real-World Impact: More Uncertainty
Imagine you're one of these Afghan evacuees. You fled your home, went through an initial vetting process, and are trying to build a new life. Now, you're facing another round of scrutiny, with the possibility of repeated interviews and checks. This adds a huge layer of uncertainty and stress, especially for those who may have already faced challenges due to missing or incomplete documentation.
For example, consider a family who lost their documents in the chaos of leaving Afghanistan. They're already dealing with the trauma of displacement, and now they're prioritized for this re-vetting simply because they lack those papers. This could lead to situations where people are unfairly targeted, even if they pose no threat.
The Bigger Picture: Accountability and Potential Overreach
The bill also requires a report from the Secretary of Homeland Security and the DHS Inspector General within 180 days (Section 1(c)). This report will detail the findings of the re-vetting, including how many evacuees were found ineligible for admission and why. While accountability is important, the lack of clear standards for this "full screening" raises concerns. There is a risk of misidentifying individuals, and potentially violating due process. The bill's findings (Section 1(a)) highlight potential security risks, but the solution presented could create new problems, especially for those who are already vulnerable.