Thousands of Terror-Linked Migrants Stopped at U.S. Southern Border: Homeland Threat Assessment
A recent Homeland Threat Assessment by the Department of Homeland Security reveals that U.S. border agents have encountered a growing number of individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist attempting to enter the country through the southern border. The report highlights the concern over the infiltration of special interest aliens from Middle East countries, who pose potential national security threats to the United States.
According to leaked data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), thousands of individuals from various countries, including Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Syria, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Mauritania, have been apprehended by Border Patrol agents while attempting to illegally cross the southern border over the past two years. These individuals are considered special interest aliens as they come from countries that promote or protect terrorism or pose a national security risk.
The data shows that between October 2021 and October 2023, there were 6,386 encounters with nationals from Afghanistan, 3,153 from Egypt, 659 from Iran, and 538 from Syria. Additionally, there were 12,624 encounters from Uzbekistan, 30,830 from Turkey, 1,613 from Pakistan, 164 from Lebanon, 185 from Jordan, 123 from Iraq, and 15,594 from Mauritania. It is important to note that the data does not provide information on the number of individuals who were removed or released into the U.S. with a court date.
However, the numbers mentioned do not capture all encounters, as they exclude those by CBP’s Office of Field Operations at ports of entry and individuals who managed to evade detection, estimated to be over 1.5 million during the Biden administration. This highlights the significant security concerns surrounding people from special interest countries crossing the border since there is limited or no way to vet them adequately.
One of the main challenges is the lack of criminal history information being shared by the countries of origin. Unless individuals have committed crimes in the U.S. or are on a federal watchlist, border agents have no means of knowing their background due to the absence of data shared by their home countries. This lack of information poses a significant risk as it hampers the ability to assess potential threats accurately.
The leaked data further reveals that the fiscal year 2023 has broken the record for encounters with individuals on the FBI terrorist watchlist, with 151 people encountered at the southern border between ports of entry. The figure exceeds the total number of encounters in the previous six years combined, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue.
Border Patrol sources express extreme concerns about the infiltration of individuals from special interest countries, given the limited ability to vet them properly. The lack of cooperation from their countries of origin makes it challenging to ensure the safety and security of the United States. While measures like encountering more individuals on the terrorist watchlist indicate increased vigilance, there is a pressing need for comprehensive strategies to address the growing challenges at the southern border.
In conclusion, the Homeland Threat Assessment highlights the concerning trend of encounters with individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist attempting to enter the United States through the southern border. The infiltration of special interest aliens from Middle East countries poses significant national security threats, especially given the limited means to thoroughly vet them. The leaked data underscores the need for robust measures to enhance border security and protect the nation from potential terrorist activities.
