NCTC Director Joe Kent: NCTC identified 18K known and suspected terrorists who entered U.S. during Biden admin.
During a recent congressional hearing, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent revealed that approximately 18,000 known and suspected terrorists entered the U.S. under the Biden administration from 2021 to 2025, raising alarms about national security. Kent criticized the Biden administration's border policies, linking them to the entry of individuals on the FBI's terror watch list and citing the recent shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan national as a direct consequence. He argued that many of these individuals, including those tied to jihadist organizations, did not undergo proper vetting, which he described as a significant threat to U.S. safety. Looking ahead, Kent's testimony may influence ongoing discussions about immigration and national security policies. The implications of these revelations could lead to intensified scrutiny of border security measures in the coming months.
Dive Deeper:
Kent disclosed that 2,000 of the identified terrorists have direct ties to recognized terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, marking them as a significant threat to U.S. security.
He specifically pointed to the fatal shooting of two National Guard members by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome without adequate vetting.
Kent criticized the Biden administration for its 'loose border policies' and blamed it for creating conditions that facilitated the entry of individuals who should have been barred.
Approximately 200,000 Afghans were brought to the U.S. following the 2021 withdrawal, with around 76,000 arriving during the initial airlift under humanitarian parole.
Kent, appointed by Trump, emphasized that those who entered the U.S. were not properly vetted, undermining security despite previous vetting in Afghanistan.
His statements during the House Homeland Security Committee hearing on December 11, 2025, have the potential to shape future legislative and security discussions.
The ongoing debate about immigration policy may intensify as Kent's assertions highlight perceived vulnerabilities in the current system.