New information emerges about the arrest of eight Tajiks in the United States for alleged links to ISIS

More information has been released on eight Tajik men arrested earlier this month by federal law enforcement for alleged ties to ISIS.

Federal law enforcement had obtained intelligence information indicating that the eight men were in the United States and had possible ties to ISIS, according to two sources familiar with the information. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force opened an investigation into the men and investigators monitored their communications, the sources said, including tracking their activities on social media such as chat rooms and encrypted sites, according to one of the sources.

The FBI discovered that the individuals were in contact with bad actors with potential ties to ISIS. Investigators obtained court authorization FISA warrant and carried out monitoring. Officials feared the men could have been planning a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, the sources said.

The FBI, along with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arrested the eight men immigration accusations in recent weeks in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.

The investigation is ongoing and, at this stage, the men do not face terrorism-related charges.

The sources said there was no evidence to suggest a specific targeted attack was being planned. U.S. officials said there was no imminent threat to the country.

The Justice Department declined to comment and the FBI declined to comment. beyond what he says when the arrests took place.

At the time, the bureau said, the FBI and DHS said in a statement that “the arrests were made in close coordination with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces,” adding that the arrested individuals were being detained by ICE while awaiting deportation proceedings. .

“As the FBI and DHS have recently described in public and partner bulletins, the United States finds itself in a heightened threat environment,” the statement continued. “The FBI and DHS will continue to work around the clock with our partners to identify, investigate and thwart potential threats to national security.”