11 December 2017•Update: 18 December 2017
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
The White House on Monday used a terror attack in New York to push President Donald Trump's immigration initiatives aimed at tightening restrictions for those seeking U.S. entry, particularly individuals from Muslim-majority countries.
"This attack underscores the need for Congress to work with the president on immigration reforms that enhance our national security and public safety," spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters. "We must protect our borders."
Suspected attacker Akayed Ullah is reportedly from Bangladesh – a country not on Trump’s travel ban on, but the president has sought a separate end to so-called "chain migration", or U.S. entry based on extended familial relations. Sanders said Ullah entered the country on such a visa.
"The president is going to aggressively continue to push for responsible immigration reform, and ending chain migration would certainly be a part of that process," she said.
The 27-year-old suspect is in custody after the "attempted terrorist attack" rocked the busy New York Port Authority subway station early Monday.
The explosion happened in a heavily-trafficked underground walkway in the middle of rush hour.
Police Commissioner James O'Neill said Ullah sustained burns and wounds to his body and hands during the attack and is being treated at an area hospital.
O'Neill said the suspect made statements but declined to elaborate on the nature of the remarks or if he claimed the attack was carried out for Daesh.
But preliminary information indicates the suspect is possibly from Bangladesh and has been living in the U.S. for seven years, according to former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton who told MSNBC that Ullah claimed the attack for Daesh.
An unnamed law enforcement source told CNN that Ullah said he carried out the attack because of recent Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip. Ullah allegedly told investigators he chose to detonate the bomb inside the walkway because he noticed a Christmas advertisement on the wall, and was inspired by past Daesh-motivated Christmas attacks, according to NBC.
Law enforcement sources told NBC it does not appear Ullah direct ties to the terror group.
Authorities initially said only the suspect was injured but fire officials later updated the casualty toll to include four victims with non-life-threatening injuries.
The victims transported themselves to local hospitals, the fire department confirmed on Twitter.
“This is the most resilient place on Earth,” declared New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The terrorists will not win. We’re going to keep being New Yorkers.”
The explosive device used was attached to Ullah's body using velcro and zip ties and was based on a pipe bomb, Deputy Police Commissioner John Miller said.
O'Neill separately described the bomb as an "improvised low-tech device".
Subway service is being restored except at the 42nd Street station, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the Port Authority bus terminal has been reopened.
Police activity is expected to be heightened throughout the city, although officials emphasized there are no other specific credible threats to New York at this time.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said his state's law enforcement officials are coordinating with their federal and New York counterparts, and he directed New Jersey police to step up security at major transportation hubs.
Monday's attack came just weeks after a deadly rampage in lower Manhattan in which a suspected ran over pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path, later claiming the attack for Daesh.
