Senator Hawley Urges DHS to Secure Border Amid Terrorist-Linked Alien Encounters

Strategic Insights -

United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has expressed alarm over the recent uptick in potential terrorist-linked illegal aliens at the southern border. Following the barbaric attack perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on innocent American and Israeli civilians, Senator Hawley has written a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to take immediate action to secure the border.

According to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reports for FY2023, there were 154 encounters with people on the terror watchlist at the northern and southern borders among ports of entry, and 505 encountered at the ports of entry. The Senator is particularly concerned about the safety of Jewish Americans, who are facing increased threats to their physical safety following the Hamas attack.

Senator Hawley's letter highlights the Department's own threat assessment, which acknowledges the danger of terrorist-linked individuals entering the country. He emphasizes that illegal aliens with potential ties to terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah have no place in the United States. In response to the recent Hamas attack, the FBI has alerted Americans about an elevated number of violent threats against civilians, including antisemitic threats.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Hawley wrote a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to ensure the safety of Americans, particularly Jewish Americans, amid the uptick in potential terrorist-linked illegal aliens at the southern border.
  • Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reports for FY2023 show 154 encounters with people on the terror watchlist at the northern and southern borders among ports of entry, and 505 encountered at the ports of entry.
  • The Senator is concerned about the Department's radical open border policies and the need to take immediate action to secure the border.
  • The letter mentions the barbaric attack perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on innocent American and Israeli civilians, leading to enhanced security threats.
  • The FBI has alerted Americans about an elevated number of violent threats against civilians, including antisemitic threats.
  • The Senator has requested that DHS respond to specific questions regarding the release of "special interest aliens" and the security standards at the southern border.
  • Senator Hawley has emphasized the importance of homeland security and the need for the Department of Homeland Security to work with the FBI to monitor organizations with links to Hamas' terrorism activities operating within the United States.

Statistics:

  • 154 TSDB aliens encountered attempting to cross the border between ports of entry in FY2023
  • 505 TSDB aliens encountered at the ports of entry in FY2023
  • 1.6 million illegal aliens successfully evaded Border Patrol in entering the United States since President Biden took office
  • 4 Iranians were apprehended in Texas by Border Patrol in recent weeks
  • 6.2 million illegal alien encounters at the southern border during the Biden Administration
  • Estimated 154 TSDB aliens encountered attempting to cross the border between ports of entry in the past six years combined

Sources:

  • Letter from Senator Josh Hawley to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, October 18, 2023
  • Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reports for FY2023
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) threat assessment
  • FBI alert about elevated number of violent threats against civilians, including antisemitic threats
  • United States Senator Josh Hawley's official website