Wednesday, Representatives August Pfluger (TX-11) and Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) led a letter with over 30 other lawmakers to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers about Malik Faisal Akram, the foreign national who took four people hostage at the Beth Israel Congregation in Colleyville, Texas on January 15^th, 2022.

In the letter, the lawmakers remark: “The circumstances allowing Akram to enter the United States remain unclear. The families and communities we represent deserve direct answers from the federal officials charged with ensuring the homeland is secure.”

 “It has been four weeks since known criminal and foreign national Malik Faisal Akram took four hostages at the Beth Israel Congregation in Colleyville, Texas after being allowed to enter our country,” said Rep. August Pfluger. “While we can speculate how gaps in the federal vetting process allowed for a suspected criminal to enter into the United States, Texans, and all Americans, deserve clear answers and full transparency from the federal officials charged with ensuring the security of our homeland. We deserve assurances that we are doing everything in our power to prevent terrorists and criminals from endangering our families.”

"Last month, my community experienced a terrorist attack by British national, Malik Faisal Akram, which threatened the lives of members of Congregation Beth Israel. The appalling approach this Administration has taken to national security has proven to have deadly consequences over the past year and almost did again in Colleyville last month,” said Rep. Beth Van Duyne. "This letter is to demand answers on how and why Akram was permitted entry to the United States so we can make informed policy changes to prevent future attacks."  

Read the full letter here.

The letter was cosigned by Representatives Elise M. Stefanik (NY-21), Brian Babin, D.D.S (TX-36), Michael T. McCaul (TX-10), Ronny L. Jackson (TX-13), David B. McKinley, P.E. (WV-01), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Bill Johnson (OH-06), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), John H. Rutherford (FL-04), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Roger Williams (TX-25), Jodey C. Arrington (TX-19), Mike Garcia (CA-25), Michael Guest (MS-03), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Van Taylor (TX-03), Dan Bishop (NC-09), Mark E. Green, M.D. (TN-07), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-02), Troy E. Nehls (TX-22), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Kevin Brady (TX-08), Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Ted Budd (NC-13), and Mo Brooks (AL-05).