Terrorism & Immigration: Assessing Recent Attacks

Recent Incidents Raise Concerns

March witnessed a series of incidents that brought the issue of Islamic terrorism back into focus. These events included an incident at Old Dominion University where an immigrant from Sierra Leone reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar.” A man born in Lebanon allegedly crashed a vehicle into a Michigan synagogue.

Further incidents included a shooting at an Austin, Texas bar, reportedly carried out by a Muslim from Senegal, resulting in four fatalities. In New York City, two teenagers, with parents from Turkey and Afghanistan, are suspected of detonating bombs near the mayor’s mansion.

Beyond Vetting: The Challenge of Lone Actors

The response to these events often centers on improving vetting processes for immigrants. However, experts suggest that focusing solely on vetting may be insufficient. Many individuals who engage in terrorist acts within the United States operate as lone actors, and may not have obvious connections to known terrorist organizations.

Some perpetrators have even resided in affluent American communities, indicating that even thorough vetting cannot guarantee prevention. While the statistical probability of dying in a terrorist attack remains low for the average American, these incidents signal deeper societal issues.

Cultural Divisions and Underlying Values

Terrorist attacks are viewed as the most extreme manifestation of a broader cultural divide between the Islamic world and the Western world. This division extends beyond isolated acts of violence, encompassing clashing values, beliefs, and societal loyalties.

Values Discrepancies Highlighted in Research

A 2021 report for the Center for Immigration Studies, examining data from the World Values Survey, revealed significant differences in beliefs regarding gender relations among Afghans. Approximately 78% of Afghans agreed that men should have priority for jobs when scarcity exists, and 63% believe a university education is more important for boys than girls.

Furthermore, 43% of Afghans indicated that a man is sometimes justified in physically assaulting his wife. These percentages contrast sharply with those found among Americans. Pew Research Center data also indicates that 99% of Afghans believe Sharia law should be the foundation of their legal system, including punishments like stoning and the death penalty for apostasy.

The Pew Research Center’s global survey of Muslims also revealed that 39% of Afghans believe suicide bombings are sometimes justified, and 60% endorse the murder of a female family member for extramarital sex.

Immigration Patterns and Cultural Integration

While individual immigrants can and do successfully assimilate, those arriving as refugees or through humanitarian programs often retain values more aligned with their countries of origin. The large influx of Afghan immigrants following the 2021 evacuation suggests that the views of recent arrivals may be more representative of the average Afghan than the average American.

The Impact of Large-Scale Immigration

Profound cultural differences between immigrants and native-born populations can lead to residential segregation, socioeconomic disparities, and the increased prevalence of foreign languages. Terrorism represents the most severe outcome of these cultural clashes, but even in its absence, underlying tensions remain.

Reducing immigration levels is proposed as a potential solution to mitigate these culture clashes, allowing for better integration of existing immigrant populations. The foreign-born population surged during the Biden administration, reaching a record 15.8% of the U.S. population in January 2025 – a level previously projected for 2042.

Sustained reductions in immigration are suggested as a means to encourage integration and address the divisions highlighted by acts of terrorism.