U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett has called for the deportation of Afghan YouTuber Emran Rahimi, citing alleged ties to Taliban intelligence and concerns over potential security threats to the United States.
Burchett stated that Rahimi has "potential connections" with the Taliban’s intelligence agency and should be expelled to safeguard national security and uphold American values.
On Friday, Burchett wrote on the social media platform X: “The Biden administration willingly handed a visa to a man who enjoyed unrestricted access to top Taliban commanders.”
In October 2024, Burchett had previously addressed a letter to former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, raising concerns about Rahimi’s associations with senior Taliban figures and the risks his presence might pose in the U.S.
The letter stated: “Rahimi has actively participated in efforts to sanitise the image of the brutal Taliban regime, consistently portraying their actions as a source of stability in Afghanistan while encouraging members of the Afghan diaspora in the West to return to Taliban-controlled areas.”
Burchett further warned that Rahimi’s presence in the U.S. could endanger former Afghan military personnel and their families currently residing in the country. He expressed deep concerns for their safety and well-being.
Additionally, the congressman urged the U.S. State Department to closely monitor Rahimi’s activities and associations, arguing that his connections could pose a significant threat to national security and undermine the fundamental values upheld by American citizens.
The letter also referenced Rahimi’s alleged ties to high-ranking Taliban officials, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, as well as his reported access to the Taliban’s training camps and the residences of former Afghan government officials.
In his latest statement on X, Burchett reiterated that Rahimi remains in the United States and must be identified and deported without delay.
Rahimi, who recently migrated to the U.S., had been active as a YouTuber in Afghanistan over the past three years. During this period, some critics accused him of collaborating with the Taliban, further fuelling controversy over his presence in the United States.
