On Wednesday, Border Patrol agents in San Diego arrested an Afghan national on the FBI's Terror Watchlist after he illegally crossed the border with a group of migrants near Otay Mesa, CA. Republican Congressman Darrell Issa confirmed the arrest with their CBP contact. The Gateway Pundit reported that during a routine check at the Douglas, Arizona port of entry, CBP officers discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) bound for the United States.
According to a new report, 300 suspected terrorists have already been apprehended in fiscal year 2023. U.S. Border Patrol agents reportedly arrested an Afghan national on the FBI’s terrorism watchlist who illegally entered America by crossing its southern border with a group of migrants last week. Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin tweeted that the FBI confirmed the match and is leading an investigation.
The arrest has generated significant reactions on social media, with Republicans assailing President Joe Biden for instituting "open border policies" that they say have fueled problems such as fentanyl drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas rejected this criticism and said Border Patrol encounters had dropped by half in two days since Title 42 ended.
Five migrants were arrested near AZ Border Post-Title 42 on Friday and later discovered to be listed in the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB). The arrests occurred in separate incidents throughout Friday day and evening hours. According to a U.S Customs and Border Protection report, a total of 80 migrants listed in TSDB have been apprehended after entering America along its southwest border between ports of entry this fiscal year.
The number of migrants appearing in TSDS has skyrocketed under President Biden's administration - only 14 were apprehended during four fiscal years under Trump's administration. TSDS is a consolidated terrorist watchlist designed to house information about known or suspected terrorists (KSTs).
Five migrants were arrested at the US border on Friday after they illegally crossed and attempted to evade detection and apprehension. The arrests occurred shortly after Title 42 expired, and the migrants were referred to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task for further investigation to confirm their identities. This data includes migrants apprehended between October 2022 and March 2023.
Most people listed in the terrorism watchlist are not American citizens with no connections to America. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz estimated that around 60,000 migrants awaited near the border as Title 42 expired. The FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) maintains this database and provides information to several law enforcement agencies.
"The rise in suspected terrorists crossing our borders is alarming," said Congressman Darrell Issa. "We must address this issue immediately before it poses a severe risk to national security."