Arrest of Eight Tajik Men Suspected of Links to ISIS in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia

Informed sources announced on Tuesday, June 11, that eight Tajik men suspected of connections to the Islamic State group, ISIS, have been arrested in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. These sources told NBC News that the suspects were under surveillance by the FBI's anti-terrorism task force and were apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. Two officials familiar with the case informed NBC News that these eight individuals entered the U.S. through the southern borders and that investigations showed they had no prior criminal records upon their entry. The officials emphasized that at least two of these individuals entered the U.S. in the spring of 2023, and one of them entered under a U.S. government program for immigrants and asylum seekers. Three informed sources told NBC News that the FBI's anti-terrorism task force was aware of a potential terrorist threat originating from Central Europe and had begun monitoring these individuals as part of the investigation. A senior U.S. government official also stated that the FBI had been monitoring these individuals for several months and closely tracking their activities. According to the report, the arrested individuals 'have not yet been charged with any terrorist connections or conspiracy.'