Two suspects arrested for allegedly throwing an improvised explosive device (IED) at anti-Islam protesters in New York City are U.S. citizens whose parents were naturalized years ago. The incident, which occurred outside Gracie Mansion on Saturday, has sparked renewed debate over immigration reform, with some lawmakers calling for a pause on legal immigration from Muslim-majority countries.

Parents Naturalized, Suspects Born in the U.S.

According to Fox News’ Bill Melugin, the two suspects — 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi — were born in the United States. Their parents were naturalized U.S. citizens: Balat’s parents were granted citizenship in 2017 after immigrating from Turkey, while Kayumi’s parents were naturalized in the 2000s after arriving from Afghanistan.

Authorities are investigating the IED-throwing incident as a potential act of terrorism, in part because one of the suspects referenced ISIS during questioning. The device was reportedly thrown at an anti-Islam crowd while the suspects shouted “Allahu Akbar,” a phrase often used by extremists.

Dangerous Explosive Used in Attack

The IEDs were homemade bombs containing a volatile explosive known as the “Mother of Satan,” a substance described by the New York Post as “a volatile explosive favored by international terrorists.” The explosive can be made using ingredients commonly found in home improvement stores and pharmacies, making it cheap and accessible to produce.

According to a source cited by the New York Post, the explosive is “designed to maim and kill.” The source noted that “this is just luck no one is dead.” New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed in a tweet that the device was “not a hoax device or smoke bomb.”

Footage of the suspects in action was released, showing them allegedly hurling the IED at the crowd. A warning was included with the video, noting that some viewers may find the content disturbing.

Republican Calls for Immigration Reform

Republican lawmakers responded to the attack by calling for stricter immigration policies, particularly regarding individuals from Muslim-majority countries. Texas Rep. Chip Roy, speaking on Fox News, described the incident as the second in just two days, following a mass shooting in Austin on March 1.

During that attack, an Islamic shooter wearing a shirt that read “Property of Allah” opened fire at a bar, killing three people. Roy stated that “you don’t really have to do a deep level of investigation to look and see what the motives are here,” linking the incidents to immigration policies under the Biden administration.

He cited statistics indicating that the U.S. has imported “almost five million people since 9/11 from majority Muslim countries,” suggesting that this has led to “a problem here at home.” Roy called for a pause on legal immigration and criticized policies that he claims have allowed individuals with ties to terrorism to enter the country.

Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles also voiced support for stricter immigration measures. He announced his intention to introduce a bill that would ban immigration from certain Muslim nations. Ogles claimed that “mass Islamic immigration, legal or illegal, has transformed America and brought destructive consequences.”

In a statement to Fox News, Ogles said, “America’s moral exemplar is a meek carpenter who rose from the dead, not a warmonger with 12 wives and countless slaves. My bill will preserve this truth.”

While the suspects in the New York incident were U.S. citizens, the debate over immigration policies has intensified following recent attacks. The U.S. has seen a rise in incidents involving individuals with ties to extremist groups, prompting calls for a reevaluation of current immigration protocols.

With the U.S. immigration system under scrutiny, lawmakers from both parties are expected to continue debating the balance between national security and open-door policies. The next steps may involve congressional hearings or proposed legislation aimed at tightening the criteria for legal immigration.