Afghan TikToker Taken Into Custody on Suspicion of Bomb Making

An Afghan man living in the United States has been taken into custody in Texas after posting a video online in which he allegedly claimed he could build a bomb and intended to target Fort Worth, according to reports from U.S. media.

Officials identified the suspect as Mohammad Dawood Alokzai. He was arrested on Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security and is now facing federal charges.

Alokzai entered the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome, a federal initiative created to resettle Afghan partners following the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. Media reports indicate he later received permanent residency status on September 7, 2022.

Investigators say the arrest was prompted by a TikTok video in which Alokzai allegedly discussed making a bomb and mentioned Fort Worth as a potential target. Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the investigation or whether any immediate threat was found.

The case is currently under federal examination.

In a separate development, the United States has paused the issuance of visas to individuals traveling on Afghan passports as part of an extensive national security assessment. The move has also placed asylum applications on hold, creating uncertainty for thousands awaiting decisions.

According to the State Department, the temporary halt aims to reinforce national security procedures and ensure the safety of the public. Officials said processing will resume only after all background checks and security verifications are completed.

Shortly after this announcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a parallel directive, stating that no immigration case will proceed until full security clearance is achieved. Applications will remain suspended until investigators confirm that applicants pose no risk.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow emphasized that the agency will not finalize any case without complete confidence in the results of the security screening. No approval will be granted until officials are fully satisfied with the review.

The policy shift follows a recent shooting near the White House involving an Afghan-origin suspect who allegedly opened fire on National Guard troops. One female guard died, and another was critically wounded. Media outlets reported that the suspect arrived in the United States in 2021 through a resettlement initiative.

The incident has prompted federal authorities to re-evaluate immigration vetting procedures for Afghan nationals and other applicants from unstable regions.