Analysis: Is the Alleged ISIS Immigrant an Anomaly or a Sign of a Larger Problem?

August 17, 2024 TruthUSA

There are many unanswered questions around the foiled terrorist plot in Toronto under a publication ban, especially regarding how one suspect obtained citizenship and if other similarly inclined individuals might be waiting in the wings.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated this week that departments are reviewing the matter, with findings to be shared at the appropriate time.

Opposition MPs called for an emergency committee meeting to investigate the issue promptly. All parties have agreed to commence work before Parliament reconvenes.

Ahmed Eldidi and his son Mostafa Eldidi were arrested in late July in Richmond Hill, Ont., accused of terrorism offenses related to ISIS. Police stated they were in advanced stages of planning a violent attack in Toronto.

The father faces an additional assault charge, with media reports linking it to his involvement in an ISIS propaganda video outside of Canada in 2015. Police have not confirmed this, and the allegations are unproven in court.

Authorities have stated that Ahmed Eldidi holds Canadian citizenship, while Mostafa’s status is still unclear. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) declined to disclose details due to privacy reasons.

Screening

Canada has seen a surge in permanent residents with a goal of reaching 500,000 annually by 2025. Non-permanent residents, including asylum seekers and visa holders, have doubled in the last three years to over 2.7 million.

These individuals undergo processing by border, immigration, and internal security agencies. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) plays a role by consulting its data for security assessments provided to the decision-making authorities.

CSIS, in its 2023 annual report, noted receiving numerous security screening referrals from Immigration Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency. The bulk were for citizenship applications, refugee cases, temporary residents, and permanent residents.

CSIS doesn’t grant access to Canada; instead, it advises other relevant departments. A finite resource pool handles a growing number of requests, posing a demanding challenge.

Former CSIS intelligence analyst Phil Gurski highlighted the ISIS threat, pointing to successful or thwarted attacks in various parts of the world. The evolving terrorism landscape demands vigilant monitoring.

‘Extremist Travellers’

Additionally, Canadians joining ISIS abroad and returning undetected are a concern. The authorities repatriated Canadian women implicated in ISIS-related activities, categorizing them as “extremist travellers.”

The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) detailed the status of extremists who had traveled from Canada. Returnees face legal consequences for terrorism-related involvement.

The grow…powers and affiliations across regions, posing a global threat.

Matthew Horwood and The Canadian Press contributed to this article.

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