A recent report from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee has revealed that, under the Biden-Harris administration, at least 99 individuals on the terrorist watch list are suspected of entering the United States illegally. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released these individuals into various American communities. These individuals hail from 36 different countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, and Yemen. Additionally, the report noted that 34 more individuals on the watchlist are currently detained by DHS, as reported by MSN.
The findings highlighted that immigration courts granted bond to 27 migrants on the terrorist watch list who crossed the southwest border and asylum to four others. One notable incident mentioned involved eight citizens of Tajikistan who were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in June. While most of the individuals either crossed the border or arrived without prior appointments, three were released after making appointments through the CBP One phone app at a port of entry.
ICE officers have reported difficulties in apprehending national security threats due to the increased volume of interactions during the Biden-Harris administration. They noted that the border situation has made it challenging to track recent illegal immigrants, particularly because many leave no digital trail. The report indicated that Border Patrol encountered 98 individuals on the terrorist list during the fiscal year 2022, a significant increase compared to previous years.
The research also revealed a dramatic rise in interactions with immigrants on terrorist watch lists, increasing by over 3,000 percentage points compared to the Trump-Pence administration. Furthermore, it highlighted approximately 2 million “gotaways,” individuals who managed to evade Border Patrol and enter the country undetected. Testimony from FBI Director Christopher Wray pointed out that fake documents complicate border vetting procedures, making it more challenging to identify national security threats.
In response to these findings, the report advocated for the approval of H.R. 2, a border security bill supported by Republicans. This legislation aims to tighten asylum regulations, resume the construction of a border wall, and increase Border Patrol staffing. However, Senate Democrats oppose this bill, favoring a more comprehensive $118 billion package that includes humanitarian assistance and international aid.
The Biden administration has developed a program that permits those without legal status who are married to citizens of the United States and have lived in the nation for ten years or more to seek citizenship.