John Kennedy

10/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/21/2025 13:36

Kennedy, Louisiana Republicans seek answers on alleged October 7 terrorist living in Lafayette, La.

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined a letter led by U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem seeking a briefing on the presence of Mahmoud Amin Ya'qub Al-Muhtadi in Lafayette, La. Al-Muhtadi is a Gazan native who allegedly participated in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel.

Al-Muhtadi entered the United States under false pretenses on September 12, 2024, according to the Department of Justice.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Reps. Julia Letlow (R-La.) and Clay Higgins (R-La.) also joined the letter.

"We appreciate the job you are doing to keep Americans safe here at home and write you as members of the Louisiana congressional delegation to request a briefing regarding how Mahmoud Amin Ya'qub Al-Muhtadi came to reside in Lafayette, Louisiana, after entering the United States in 2024 during the Biden Administration's dangerous open borders policy," the lawmakers began.

"According to public reporting and Department of Justice filings, Al-Muhtadi is alleged to have participated in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel and to have entered the United States the following year after falsely concealing his affiliations on his visa application. He was later located living and working in Lafayette, Louisiana, before being taken into custody by federal authorities," they continued.

"We would also like to be informed about any additional terrorist threats in our state due to President Biden's dangerous and deadly immigration policies," the members of the Louisiana delegation added.

"We appreciate your leadership at the Department and your continued commitment to keeping our communities and our nation safe. We look forward to a briefing from your team to help us understand the circumstances surrounding this individual's entry and residence in Louisiana," they concluded.

Read the lawmakers' letter here.

Read more about the letter in Fox News.

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