Former Border Patrol Agent, Chris Clem, has raised alarm bells over the increasing number of individuals evading capture at the southern border. A recent Customs and Border Protection (CBP) memo has alerted staff to the potential risk of foreign terrorist fighters from the Israel-Hamas conflict attempting to enter the United States through the besieged southern border. The memo, issued by the agency’s San Diego Field Office’s intelligence unit, warns of the possibility that individuals “inspired by, or reacting to, the current Israel-Hamas conflict may attempt travel to or from the area of hostilities in the Middle East via circuitous transit across the Southwest border.” It further highlights the concern that foreign fighters, driven by ideology or mercenary motives, could exploit Mexico as a gateway to the US, obfuscating their travel from the Middle East.
The memo specifically mentions Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and Hezbollah as potential groups of concern. It outlines indicators that Border Patrol agents should be vigilant about, including military-age males, possession of military gear, single travelers, lack of a clear return plan, and associations with the region. The memo’s release underscores ongoing worries about a potential terrorist threat at the border, particularly as the US is grappling with a record influx of migrants from across the globe, overwhelming Border Patrol agents.
Recent official figures reveal that Border Patrol agents encountered a record number of individuals (169) on the terror watch list at the southern border in FY23, surpassing the combined numbers from the past six fiscal years. It is important to note that encounters at ports of entry slightly exceeded the encounters between the ports themselves. The Terrorist Screening Dataset, previously known as the watch list, contains information on known or suspected terrorists and their affiliates. The Department of Homeland Security’s FY24 threat assessment highlights the growing number of encounters with individuals on the watch list and warns of potential exploitation of the increased flow of migrants and complex security environment to enter the United States.
In addition to the concerns regarding potential terrorist threats, recent reports have indicated that Border Patrol agents have apprehended thousands of “special interest aliens,” individuals from countries with conditions promoting or protecting terrorism, attempting to cross the southern border illegally over the past two years. The Department of Homeland Security has assured the public that they are closely monitoring unfolding events and engaging in information sharing with intelligence and law enforcement partners to mitigate any risks to national security or public safety. The agency’s multilayered border security efforts involve various screening and vetting processes to detect and prevent individuals posing national security or public safety risks from entering the United States.
However, Republicans have remained unconvinced by these assurances and continue to assert that the current state of the border poses a significant national security risk. Members of the House Homeland Security Committee took to social media to voice their concerns, stating that the wide-open Southwest border is a major threat to national security, with 169 individuals on the terrorist watchlist caught crossing the border in FY23. They emphasized the urgency of securing the border to address these alarming rates.
The growing concerns surrounding potential terrorism threats at the US southern border have highlighted the need for heightened security measures and increased vigilance among Border Patrol agents. The situation is further complicated by the overwhelming influx of migrants and the complex security environment. As the 2024 campaign trail unfolds, immigration and border security remain key issues, and politicians from across the political spectrum will likely continue to debate the best approach to address these challenges.
Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Digital, specializing in immigration and border security coverage. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter. Stay updated with the latest news from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to this newsletter.
