The United States is facing an unprecedented challenge at its southern border as the number of illegal migrants on the terror watchlist being apprehended by Border Patrol is on track to reach a new high. In the first two months of fiscal year 2024, authorities have already detained 31 individuals whose names appear on the terror watchlist, with 13 of those arrests occurring in October alone.
This alarming trend suggests a significant increase from previous years, with 172 encounters recorded in fiscal year 2023, a stark rise from the 98 in 2022 and only 16 in 2021. The growing figures are indicative of a broader issue of national security that demands immediate attention and action.
Many illegal migrants abandon dogs when they cross illegally into the United States.
Today we saw over 5 dogs abandoned by illegal migrants within a one hour period.
— Tayler Hansen (@TaylerUSA) December 22, 2023
In the wake of a terrorist attack on civilians in Israel on October 7th, federal authorities have issued warnings to Border Patrol agents to be vigilant for potential terrorists from organizations such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah attempting to cross the border illegally. This internal memo highlights the gravity of the threat and the importance of the Border Patrol’s role in safeguarding the nation.
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has emphasized the rarity of encounters with individuals on the terror watchlist, underscoring the critical nature of the work carried out by CBP Agents and Officers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employs a combination of highly trained personnel, monitoring systems, and intelligence networks to secure the borders.
Migrant placed next to me in premium cabin still has bag from processing center
A majority of this flight is migrants bussed in from the processing center
Can @Delta please let all of their customers know what medical screenings are being done for these migrants illegally… https://t.co/drf5aAzLPA pic.twitter.com/ETHl8tJkC9
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) December 19, 2023
When individuals on the terror watchlist are encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol after entering the country without inspection, they may be detained and removed according to CBP policy or turned over to another government agency for further detention or law enforcement action, as appropriate.
The uptick in detentions of terror watchlisted migrants coincides with record levels of illegal immigration. More than 2 million illegal migrant encounters were recorded in fiscal year 2023, following over 2.2 million in fiscal year 2022. These numbers not only strain resources but also pose a heightened risk to national security.
The situation at the border is a complex crisis that intertwines issues of immigration, national security, and humanitarian concerns. It is clear that the current measures are insufficient to address the scale of the problem, and there is a pressing need for a comprehensive strategy to strengthen border security and enforce immigration laws effectively.
As the nation grapples with this escalating crisis, it is imperative that policymakers and law enforcement agencies collaborate to implement robust solutions that protect the integrity of the nation’s borders and ensure the safety of its citizens. The increasing number of illegal migrants on the terror watchlist being caught is a clarion call for urgent and decisive action.
