An Afghan national has been apprehended in Fort Worth, Texas, following a threatening video posted on TikTok that led authorities to believe he was constructing a homemade bomb. Mohammad Dawood Alokozay was taken into custody on Tuesday by the Texas Department of Public Safety and an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force after his alarming declaration targeting Fort Worth.
The video sparked an immediate investigation, culminating in Alokozay's arrest. He now faces state charges for making a terroristic threat and is currently being held at the Tarrant County Corrections Center. As of yet, no court dates have been publicly announced.
Alokozay's entry into the United States dates back to September 7, 2022, under Operation Allies Welcome—a Biden-era program that resettled thousands of Afghans following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was admitted as a lawful permanent resident. In light of his arrest, ICE has lodged a detainer, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is actively involved in the ongoing investigation.
While there is no public information confirming whether Alokozay aided U.S. or coalition forces in Afghanistan, Operation Allies Welcome prioritized individuals who had provided such services or cooperation with U.S. operations.
This incident comes in the wake of another attack involving an Afghan national. Rahmanullah Lakanwal was accused of attacking two West Virginia National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., resulting in the tragic death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and critically injuring 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe. The proximity of these events has cast a renewed spotlight on the vetting processes of Operation Allies Welcome.
National security experts are voicing concerns that the cases of Alokozay and Lakanwal expose serious vulnerabilities in how Afghan evacuees were screened before their resettlement in the U.S. Critics argue that the program's minimal oversight has jeopardized the safety of local communities and undermined public trust in federal immigration programs.
In a swift response, former President Trump ordered a review of all visas issued through Operation Allies Welcome. The State Department subsequently suspended all visa services for Afghanistan. Trump's administration also announced an indefinite pause on immigration from certain "third-world" countries deemed unstable and called for increased scrutiny of legal immigrants with potentially adversarial views toward the U.S.
As the nation grapples with these developments, many lawmakers are advocating for stricter oversight and accountability measures to prevent future incidents. The unfolding events underscore the potential dangers of inadequate vetting and the importance of safeguarding national security.
Authorities continue to delve into Alokozay's background, seeking to understand his connections, motives, and whether he had any accomplices. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reinforcing its commitment to tighter immigration controls and more rigorous screening processes, emphasizing the priority of American safety.
