Two weeks ago the FBI and Homeland Security released a memo warning Americans about lone-wolf terror attacks inside the United States. For months lawmakers have expressed concern about Americans fighting with ISIS overseas re-entering the U.S. using their passports, which according to the State Department, have not been revoked. According to Democrat Rep. Tim Bishop, at least 40 ISIS fighters have already returned and are being tracked by the FBI.
Now in an interview with 60 Minutes, FBI Director James Comey is warning an attack inside the U.S. from the Al Qaeda linked Khorosan group could happen "very very soon" and said that stopping Americans fighting with ISIS or other extremist groups in the middle east from coming home is pretty much impossible. From the Daily Mail:
The interviewer Scott Pelley asks: 'How many Americans are fighting in Syria on the side of the terrorists?'
'In the area of a dozen or so,' Comey replied.
'Do you know who they are?'
Comey answers: 'Yes.'
Pelley then pressed: 'Each and every one of them?'
'I think of that, dozen or so, I do. I hesitate only because I don't know what I don't know,' Comey said.
He said: 'Ultimately, an American citizen, unless their passport's revoked, is entitled to come back. So, someone who's fought with ISIL, with American passport wants to come back, we will track them very carefully.'
When U.S. airstrikes against ISIS targets started on September 24, Khorosan was also targeted in northern Syria. The Obama administration argued the group was planning an imminent attack on the U.S.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz introduced legislation last month that would have stripped Americans known to be fighting with ISIS of their U.S. passports. That legislation was voted down.