Arrr! The Border Patrol be stumbling upon 17 scurvy dogs on the terror watch list at th' southern border in November!
2023-12-23
Arrr! The Patrol o' the Borders met a fearsome crew o' 17 scallywags from the terror watch list in November, as recounted in recent reckonin'. 'Twas a grand year fer encounters, it be, in this here Year o' the Flying Fish, FY 23!
In November, there were 17 encounters of people on the FBI's terror watch list at the southern border, according to data released by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This brings the total number of encounters on the watch list to 30 for the fiscal year. The watch list, now called the Terrorist Screening Dataset, contains information on terrorist identities and includes both known or suspected terrorists and affiliates of watch-listed individuals.Last fiscal year saw a record-breaking 169 terror watchlist encounters at the southern border, exceeding the previous year's total and the combined total of the past six years. The numbers at the ports of entry are significantly higher, with 49 encounters this fiscal year compared to 564 last year.
The CBP website states that encounters of watchlisted individuals at the borders are uncommon, highlighting the important work carried out by CBP agents and officers. However, concerns arise regarding individuals with dangerous criminal histories or ties who may try to enter the U.S. either as part of a migrant group or by evading Border Patrol.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns about potential terrorist fighters crossing into the U.S., particularly in light of the recent Hamas terror attack on Israel. The Department of Homeland Security's threat assessment warned that terrorists and criminal actors may exploit the current border situation to enter the country.
These terror watchlist encounters are just a small fraction of the over 242,000 migrants encountered at the southern border in November, marking the highest November and third-highest month on record. The Border Patrol has been dealing with increased numbers since the previous fiscal year, with agents overwhelmed by a surge of migrants from around the world.
Border security measures and asylum limits are currently being debated in Washington, as lawmakers try to reach an agreement on the White House's funding request. Republicans have demanded greater limits on asylum and humanitarian parole, but an agreement is not expected until January at the earliest.