Official Data Contradicts Claims of Unvetted Afghan Arrivals and Polygamy in U.S. Resettlement

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter recently sparked debate with a social media post alleging a national security threat from Afghan immigrants. In a widely shared tweet, Coulter claimed, > "With 100,000 Afghan 'translators,' each of their four wives, 14 children and innumerable uncles and cousins all coming here, Al Qaeda’s next training ground will be America." This statement raised concerns regarding the vetting process and family structures of Afghan individuals resettling in the United States.

Official data from U.S. government agencies presents a different picture regarding Afghan arrivals and their screening. Since August 2021, over 88,500 Afghans have arrived through Operation Allies Welcome, primarily under humanitarian parole, with approximately 16,000 Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) principal applicants and their families arriving since July 2021. All Afghan nationals undergo a multi-layered, rigorous vetting process, including biometric and biographic screenings conducted by intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals from various departments. This comprehensive screening involves the Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, and the FBI, ensuring no evacuee enters the U.S. without completing these security checks.

Furthermore, U.S. immigration law explicitly prohibits polygamy. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services states that polygamy is a ground for inadmissibility to the U.S. and serves as a bar to demonstrating good moral character for naturalization. The State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual also clarifies that individuals engaged in polygamy are ineligible for a visa, directly addressing the claim about multiple wives accompanying immigrants.

The U.S. government has consistently emphasized the robustness of its vetting procedures for all refugees and immigrants, including those from Afghanistan. These processes are designed to mitigate national security risks and ensure compliance with U.S. legal and immigration standards. The claims made in the tweet contrast with the detailed security protocols and legal frameworks in place for resettlement programs.