Are terrorists slipping past our borders? The shocking surge of illegal migrants on the terror watchlist exposes a horrifying reality. America’s security is at stake, and the crisis is escalating at an alarming rate.
Border Patrol agents have apprehended 127 illegal migrants whose names were on the terror watchlist between October 2022 and May of this fiscal year, marking a nearly 30% increase compared to the entirety of fiscal year 2022. According to updated data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 27 migrants with terror watchlist names were captured in April alone, coinciding with the expiration of the Trump-era expulsion order known as Title 42.
In fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021, the encounters with watchlisted individuals were minimal, with three in each of those years. However, the numbers skyrocketed to 98 in fiscal year 2022, highlighting a troubling trend. The current fiscal year has already surpassed the previous year’s record.
The overwhelming majority of these alarming encounters occurred at the southern border with Mexico, where 125 of the individuals were apprehended. This revelation exposes a dangerous vulnerability in our border security. Two individuals managed to cross the northern border with Canada, further raising concerns about the integrity of our borders.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, acknowledging the severity of the situation, emphasizes the uncommon nature of such watchlist encounters. They highlight the critical work of CBP agents and officers on the frontlines, along with the Department of Homeland Security’s tireless efforts to secure our borders. These include highly trained personnel, robust monitoring systems, and intelligence networks dedicated to safeguarding our nation.
However, internal CBP data obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation reveals an alarming increase in illegal immigrants of “special interest” who pose potential risks to national security. In fiscal year 2022, the number of these individuals surged by nearly 600% to 25,627. This further confirms the magnitude of the crisis we face.
Former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott has repeatedly sounded the alarm, asserting that anyone dismissing the threat is naïve. The infiltration of individuals on the terror watchlist raises serious questions about the effectiveness of our border control measures and the potential dangers they bring to our communities.
As America grapples with this border crisis, it is imperative that our leaders take immediate and decisive action. The safety and security of our citizens must be the top priority. We cannot afford to let this crisis continue unabated, jeopardizing our national security.
In the face of an escalating crisis, the reality of dangerous individuals on our soil cannot be ignored. With 127 illegal migrants already nabbed on the terror watchlist this fiscal year, it is clear that our borders are vulnerable. It is time for decisive action to protect our nation from these threats.
