Under President Biden’s administration, the United States has witnessed a substantial increase in migrant encounters at its borders. Since the start of his presidency, there have been over 8 million migrant encounters nationwide, with approximately 6.7 million of these occurring at the Southwest border alone. This surge in crossings has not only overwhelmed Border Patrol agents but has also raised significant concerns about national security and public safety.
Adding to these concerns is the issue of “gotaways” — illegal immigrants who have managed to evade Border Patrol agents and enter the interior of the United States without being apprehended or vetted. The number of known gotaways under Biden’s tenure has exceeded 1.7 million. These individuals are living within U.S. borders without documentation or any formal vetting process by immigration officials, posing a potentially serious threat to national security.
Despite the growing concerns among Republicans about the implications of these immigration statistics, there has been a notable lack of response from the Democratic side, raising alarms among border security experts and officials. To bring attention to this issue, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, along with the House Committee on Homeland Security, has conducted numerous interviews with Chief Border Patrol Agents. These interviews reveal a candid perspective on the escalating crisis at the Southern Border, culminating in a joint report titled, “Crisis at the Border: Reports from the Frontline.”
The report underscores the gravity of the situation, particularly from a national security standpoint. One key point highlighted by the report is the potential threat posed by the gotaways. As one Chief Border Patrol Agent stated, “Gotaways are a public safety concern, but, as we discussed, I believe we discussed earlier also potentially a national security concern as well.” This acknowledgment from front-line agents suggests that the unchecked movement of individuals across the border could have far-reaching implications for both public safety and national security.
Furthermore, the report sheds light on the economic aspects of the crisis, particularly in regions such as the Del Rio Sector. According to the Sector Intelligence Unit, “The weekly revenue for illicit human smuggling in our sector alone is more than $30 million a week.” This staggering figure highlights the profitability of human smuggling operations and their role in exacerbating the border crisis.
Another alarming revelation from the report is the increase in individuals flagged by the Terrorist Screening Data Set (TSDS). These are individuals who have records of potential terrorist ties. “We have seen a rise in the number of [Terrorist Screening Data Set] hits,” noted one agent. “And in the last 2 years, we’ve continued to see significantly more.” This trend is particularly concerning as it indicates that individuals with possible connections to terrorism are exploiting the current situation to enter the United States, potentially posing a direct threat to national security.
The report by the House Committees on Oversight and Homeland Security serves as a clarion call for urgent action. It reflects the frustrations of those on the front lines of the border crisis and the challenges they face in securing the nation’s borders. Despite these concerns, there remains a political impasse, with Republicans advocating for stronger border security measures and Democrats often focusing on the humanitarian aspects of immigration policy.
