The northern border continues to outpace the southwest border in terms of apprehended known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) in the first six months of fiscal 2024.
According to the most recent data from CBP, there have been 143 KSTs apprehended at the northern border in the first six months of this fiscal year, compared to 92 at the southwest border.
The individuals who have been apprehended are already familiar to law enforcement and are included in the national Terrorist Screening Dataset, which is a federal database containing confidential information about terrorist identities. Initially, the purpose of this watchlist was to gather information about known or suspected terrorists. However, over the past decade, it has expanded to include other individuals who may pose a potential threat to the United States, including those who are associated with individuals already on the watchlist, as described by CBP.
According to a report by The Center Square, the number of foreign nationals illegally entering through the northern border has reached an all-time high in U.S. history.
In fiscal 2023, the northern border witnessed the highest number of KSTs ever apprehended in U.S. history, totaling 484 individuals. This figure surpasses the previous record set in fiscal 2022, where 313 KSTs were apprehended at the northern border, as per CBP data.
According to a report by The Center Square, the highest number of KSTs apprehended at both the northern and southern borders occurred in fiscal 2023, reaching a total of 736. Historically, the northern border has seen a higher number of KSTs apprehended compared to the southwest border, as reported by The Center Square.
According to former Border Patrol Chief Mark Morgan, the concerning implication of these figures is that individuals on the FBI terrorist watch list, who potentially pose a threat to our country, are entering on a daily basis. Morgan highlights that it is not a matter of if or when the threat will arrive, but rather that it is already present. This is evident in the alarming number of “gotaways,” estimated to be at least two million, referring to those who have entered the country illegally and managed to avoid apprehension.
According to the speaker, although the number of illegal entries at the northern border is much smaller compared to the southwest border, the threat is not insignificant. He emphasizes that while there may be shortages of resources overall, the northern border lacks the necessary infrastructure, technology, and personnel that the southwest border has. Therefore, the speaker asserts that the northern border should still be considered a potential source of threat.
Throughout his extensive law enforcement career spanning over 30 years, Morgan held various high-ranking positions, including the role of acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Additionally, he served with the FBI for two decades, undertaking a range of responsibilities such as combating organized crime, tackling gang-related issues, and participating in counterterrorism operations.
In January, Morgan, along with other retired FBI counterintelligence officials, cautioned Congress about the border policies of the presidents. They expressed concerns that these policies had allowed for a “soft invasion” of military-age men from regions linked to terrorism, such as China and Russia.
The presence of a large number of young single adult males from hostile nations and regions within our borders poses a significant danger. It is crucial to understand that their background, intent, or allegiance is completely unknown. The concern lies not only in individuals who have been encountered by border officials and possibly released into the country, but also in the shockingly high estimate of “gotaways” – those who have entered and managed to evade apprehension. This situation cannot be underestimated, as it poses a grave risk to our nation’s security.
According to a report by The Center Square, the majority of the over 11 million foreign nationals who have illegally entered the U.S. since January 2021 are single military-age men.
According to a report by The Center Square, the number of foreign nationals illegally entering the U.S. has continued to increase, surpassing previous records. In fact, in the first six months of fiscal 2024, over 1.7 million individuals entered the country illegally, marking the highest number for this time period in U.S. history.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has issued a warning earlier this year about individuals associated with the terrorist group ISIS. He emphasized the increased terrorist threats following the Hamas attack on Israel that took place on October 7th.
House Republicans are pressing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for answers regarding the number of KSTs that have been released into the country.
U.S. Representative Roger Williams, a Republican from Texas, recently presented a bill that proposes mandatory screening of individuals who enter the country illegally against the terrorist watch list by federal agents.
Morgan commended the exceptional efforts of CBP and Border Patrol agents in apprehending KSTs. However, he also expressed concerns about the growing number of individuals who were managing to evade capture due to the overwhelming influx and the diversion of agents from their primary national security responsibilities.
According to Mark Morgan, there are individuals on the FBI terrorist watch list attempting to enter the country on a daily basis. In his interview with The Center Square, Morgan emphasizes that it is unrealistic to believe that every individual is being apprehended. He also highlights that the identification of everyone on the watch list is not currently feasible.
“How many individuals on the watchlist, whom we have apprehended for illegally entering the United States, have been released? How many of them have claimed asylum and been granted entry?”
“We’ve let countless national security threats slip through our fingers, and they’re right here in the United States. We have no knowledge of their whereabouts or their sinister plans.”