Open border policies implemented by the Biden administration have raised concerns about increased terrorism risks in the United States, as foreign nationals with unknown backgrounds and potential ties to extremist groups are entering the country.
The potential for foreign-born individuals to commit terrorist attacks within the United States remains a pressing concern, and the current open border policies pursued by the Biden administration have exacerbated these anxieties.
Assessing the precise risk is challenging, with intelligence officials acknowledging significant uncertainties. Former CIA Deputy Director Mike Morrell has asserted that vulnerabilities at the U.S.-Mexico border pose a "blinking red" threat, but the extent of these risks remains unknown.
Elevated Terrorism Concerns in the US Due to Open Border Policies
The United States has significantly improved screening methods and information sharing since the 9/11 attacks, making it more difficult for known terrorists to enter the country. However, this system is less effective in identifying individuals without known connections to extremist groups, particularly those from countries that do not fully cooperate with U.S. authorities.
Under the current administration, the relatively open border policies have made it challenging to assess and mitigate terrorism risks. Foreign nationals with no right to be in the United States have been implicated in heinous crimes, including rape, murder, and drunk driving.
Elevated Terrorism Concerns in the US Due to Open Border Policies
These risks extend to potential terrorist activity. In May, two Jordanian illegal aliens were arrested after attempting to enter the Quantico Marine base in Virginia, and the federal government has yet to reveal their identities or immigration status.
Furthermore, the number of individuals caught at the southern border who are included on the Terrorist Screening Dataset (watchlist) has surged from 11 during fiscal years 2017-2020 to 104 in the current fiscal year.
Elevated Terrorism Concerns in the US Due to Open Border Policies
The volume of Chinese illegal aliens apprehended at ports of entry has also skyrocketed, with 24,125 encounters in 2022 compared to only 342 in 2021. In March, a Chinese illegal alien reportedly "accidentally" wandered onto the Twentynine Palms Marine base in California, continuing a trend of over 100 such incursions in recent years.
Terrorist groups remain active in several countries on the edge of the former Soviet Union, including Dagestan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Over 1,500 Tajiks illegally crossed the U.S. border between October 2020 and May 2024, with 500 apprehended this year alone. Of particular concern is the release of many of these individuals, some with known ties to ISIS.
Elevated Terrorism Concerns in the US Due to Open Border Policies
The number of Special Interest Aliens, individuals from countries the U.S. deems as promoting terrorism or posing national security threats, encountered at the borders has also spiked, from 3,675 in 2021 to 74,904 between October 2022 and August 2023.
Despite these risks, the Biden administration continues to allow thousands of people, primarily young men, to enter the country daily, without verifying their identities or criminal backgrounds. This policy also extends to the paroling of approximately 1,400 individuals per day from various regions, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Elevated Terrorism Concerns in the US Due to Open Border Policies
Unfortunately, the Border Patrol has shifted its focus from apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants to welcoming them, with former chief Rodney Scott reporting a dramatic decrease in the percentage of staff out on patrol.
Moreover, government agencies tasked with national security appear to be prioritizing initiatives unrelated to terrorism prevention. It is feared that the combination of an unprecedented number of illegal aliens released into the country, coupled with reduced border security and a diversion of resources, will increase the likelihood of a preventable terrorist attack.
Elevated Terrorism Concerns in the US Due to Open Border Policies
