WASHINGTON (SBG) - Officials have identified Ahamed Aathil Mohamed Samsudeen, a Sri Lankan national and a known supporter of ISIS, as the attacker in a terrorist attack that occurred last week in New Zealand. Samsudeen stabbed seven people in a supermarket before being shot dead by police.

"I think now as we're getting ready to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of 9/11 it takes on even more of an important meaning when we hear stuff like this," said former CBP acting commissioner Mark Morgan to The National Desk’s Jan Jeffcoat. “What comes to mind is our failed execution of the evacuation of Afghanistan which overnight turned that country back to the terrorist operating base run by a terrorist organization that played an integral role in those 9/11 attacks.”

Morgan says the war on terrorism is “still alive.”

“Their willingness and their commitment to continue to do the United States harm is alive and well,” said Morgan.

Samsudeen had been arrested a number of times and was under surveillance ahead of the attack, officials say.

“This should serve as a reminder of how complicated this is. Over the past 20 years, we may have lessened their ability to do harm and launch harm from other countries into the homeland, but they have improved and changed their techniques and tactics and procedures,” said Morgan. “Homegrown violent extremists are one of those.”

Morgan says that terrorist organizations are going to continue to “improve their ability to do us harm.”

“The reality is they all have one thing in common: their hatred for America, and their willingness and want to do us harm,” said Morgan.

Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs and members of the House Freedom Caucus are now demanding Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas answer specific questions regarding vetting procedures and the special visa program for Afghan refugees entering the U.S.

“There have been multiple media reports of individuals with criminal records or potential ties to terrorist organizations being evacuated from Afghanistan,” said Rep. Biggs in a letter to DHS.

Morgan says there are “vulnerabilities” in the immigration system.

“What is that vetting procedure that you talk about as robust?” said Morgan. “I would ask the Secretary can you guarantee that your process is 100% effective, and that you will not import anyone that could do harm to the United States. Can you guarantee that?”