Letter to the Hon. Elaine Duke, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and the Hon. Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State - Grassley Seeks Details on NYC Attacker

Letter

Dear Acting Secretary Duke and Secretary Tillerson:

On October 31, 2017, a man driving a rental truck hit and killed eight people a few blocks away from One World Trade Center in lower Manhattan.[1] Law enforcement have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov of Tampa, Florida. According to authorities, the suspect reportedly yelled "Allahu Akbar" at the police after hitting cyclists with his truck, then slamming into a school bus.[2] Officials also said that handwritten notes in Arabic were found near the truck that indicated allegiance to ISIS.[3] In addition to those killed, 11 people were transported to the hospital with injuries.[4]

According to reports to my office, Saipov is a lawful permanent resident who immigrated to the United States from Uzbekistan on a diversity visa over five years ago.
To confirm this information and better understand what motivated this act of terror, please provide numbered written responses to the following questions no later than November 14, 2017:

Department of Homeland Security:
Please provide a list of all A-files, executive summaries, or receipt files with TECs hits for terrorism that have been requested from the Department of Homeland Security in furtherance of the New York City terrorist attack including any information on Sayfullo Saipov.
Did Sayfullo Saipov have any criminal convictions? Please explain and provide all relevant documentation.
Was Sayfullo Saipov on any terrorist watch lists? If so, which lists and which dates was he on the lists?

Department of State:
Please provide all visa records and associated documentation for Sayfullo Saipov.
Did Sayfullo Saipov apply for any U.S. visa? If the answer is yes, what category of visa was sought? Which embassy or consulate did he submit the application to? If the visa was denied, what was the basis for denial?
Please provide the visa category and validity period for any and all previous visas issued to Sayfullo Saipov.
Please provide the dates of application submission and the basis of denial for any past visa applications submitted by Sayfullo Saipov, along with any associated documentation, case or interview notes, or other related information.
Has Sayfullo Saipov ever been in possession of a U.S. visa that was later revoked? If so, please provide any information that supported the decision for revocation.
Was Sayfullo Saipov subjected to any additional administrative processing associated with any visa application? Please explain and provide all documentation uncovered, or created, as a result of such additional processing.
Please provide a timeline for all applications or petitions for immigrant and/or non-immigrant visas.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Should you have any questions, please contact Katherine Nikas of my Committee staff at (202) 224-5225.

Sincerely,

Chuck Grassley
Chairman
Senate Committee on the Judiciary

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