Duval Times

Today, Senators Rick Scott and Joni Ernst reintroduced the Afghan Vetting Accountability Act in response to concerns about the vetting of Afghan refugees entering the United States. This legislative move follows President Donald Trump's announcement to pause the U.S. refugee program due to alleged failures by the Biden administration's Department of Homeland Security in screening Afghan refugees after the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Senator Rick Scott criticized President Joe Biden's handling of the withdrawal, stating it was "an international embarrassment and massive national security failure" that risked American lives. He emphasized that his proposed act aims to ensure comprehensive vetting of evacuees and improve coordination among law enforcement agencies to maintain safety.

Senator Joni Ernst echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of thorough scrutiny for individuals entering or already in the country. She stated, "The safety of our citizens must always come first."

The Afghan Vetting Accountability Act proposes several measures:

- It requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to identify evacuees from Afghanistan who arrived between July 2021 and January 2022 and provide evidence of their full screening.

- It mandates recurring vetting processes for all paroled evacuees during their parole period.

- The act calls for evidence submission to various federal officials confirming completed vetting processes.

- Additionally, it obligates the Secretary of Homeland Security and DHS Office of Inspector General to report to Congress within 180 days on screening efforts' outcomes, including details on evacuees deemed ineligible for U.S. admission.