Two Palestinian men born in Iraq were arrested separately in the U.S. last week on terrorism-related charges. Federal officials believe both of the men had ties to the Islamic State terror group.

Authorities said one of the men, identified as 23-year-old Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, is a refugee from Syria, reports The Associated Press.

He was arrested in Sacramento, California for lying to federal investigators about his travels to Syria and fighting with terrorist organizations, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday. Prosecutors also accused him of assisting a group connected with the Islamic State.

The complaint states that Al-Jayab came to America as a refugee in October 2012 and talked about returning to Syria to fight for terrorist organizations via social media. He also discussed his previous experience fighting in the ongoing Syrian Civil War. However, when questioned by citizenship officials, he lied about his travels and ties.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan of Houston was indicted Wednesday on three charges that he tried to provide material support to extremists, stated the U.S. Attorney's Office based in Houston. Authorities, however, do not believe that Al Hardan was radicalized when he first entered the U.S. six years ago as a 17-year-old refugee.

Following his arrest, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick praised authorities for preventing a potential terror attack in the U.S.

"Based on the facts, as we know them, today's action may have prevented a catastrophic terror related event in the making and saved countless lives," Patrick said in a statement.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also released a statement criticizing the Obama administration for maintaining relaxed refugee policies.

"This is precisely why I called for a halt to refugees entering the U.S. from countries substantially controlled by terrorists," Abbott said in a statement. "I once again urge the President to halt the resettlement of these refugees in the United States until there is an effective vetting process that will ensure refugees do not compromise the safety of Americans and Texans."

An unnamed law enforcement official told NBC News that neither suspect was plotting an attack on the U.S., nor did they present threats to Americans.

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