In a joint effort, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force have successfully apprehended eight individuals of Tajikistan nationality with connections to ISIS. The arrests took place in major cities across the country, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, in recent days, according to a federal source.

What is particularly alarming is that all eight individuals entered the United States illegally through the southern border. Surprisingly, neither U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) nor the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially flagged any derogatory information about them during processing.

According to sources, the suspected terrorists were "fully vetted" upon entry, and nothing raised any red flags at the time. However, after their release into the country, national security concerns came to light, indicating their connections to ISIS.

The New York Post's Jennie Taer first reported on this extensive sting operation, shedding light on some aspects of the investigation. Notably, a wiretap led to the discovery that one of the individuals under surveillance had discussed the potential use of bombs. Concerns were raised of a potential attack similar to the tragic Boston Marathon bombing, or perhaps even worse.

When questioned about the report, both the FBI and ICE issued a joint statement acknowledging the successful operation but declined to provide further details. It is likely that further investigations will be carried out to determine the extent of these individuals' ties to ISIS and assess any imminent threats they may pose to national security.

The swift action taken by U.S. authorities in apprehending these individuals highlights the ongoing commitment to safeguarding the nation against terrorist threats. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in monitoring potential threats and the need for constant vigilance to ensure the safety and security of the American people.