The United States is currently facing an unprecedented threat from potential terrorists infiltrating the country, primarily due to lax border policies.
Mark Green, the esteemed House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman from Tennessee, has expressed grave concerns over the nation’s security. He asserts that the risk of domestic terror attacks has surged to its highest level, primarily due to President Joe Biden’s lenient border policies. Over the past few years, these policies have permitted hundreds of potential terrorists to gain entry into the U.S.
In a candid conversation with The Epoch Times, Green emphasized, “The current threat level surpasses any we’ve seen before.” This statement comes after the tragic Hamas-led attack on Israel, which resulted in the loss of numerous innocent lives, including several Americans.
Green highlighted a concerning statistic: over 250 individuals on terrorist watch lists have been allowed entry into the U.S. Moreover, the vast number of “got-aways” – those who evade border officials – is believed to be in the millions. Green also expressed concerns about the decreasing reliability of these watch lists, attributing it to America’s diminishing global influence.
When questioned about the Biden administration’s efforts to prevent domestic terror attacks akin to those in Israel, Green was forthright. “The border is essentially unguarded. If you’re not on the list, you’re set free. Our intelligence from the Middle East isn’t as robust as before, making these lists less reliable than they were half a decade ago.”
Green firmly believes that the current vulnerabilities at the southern border are a significant national security risk, laying the blame squarely on President Biden and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statistics reveal a worrying trend. In 2023 alone, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered 160 potential terrorists, a stark increase from previous years. Lora Ries, a seasoned expert from the Heritage Foundation’s Border Security and Immigration Center, added that these figures only expose the tip of the iceberg. The real threat, she believes, comes from the millions who evade the Border Patrol, many of whom have criminal backgrounds.
Despite these concerns, the Biden administration maintains its vigilance against terrorist threats. Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser, emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing potential hazards, especially those from the Middle East.
However, Green feels that the Biden administration has been less than cooperative, often sidelining his committee’s attempts to oversee immigration policies. “They completely ignore our oversight authority. It’s as if President Biden believes he’s above oversight,” Green lamented.
Ries also highlighted another alarming issue: the inability to track many individuals once they’re inside the U.S. A recent DHS report revealed that many provide false U.S. addresses, making them nearly impossible to locate.
Congressional Republicans are increasingly alarmed. Senator Ron Johnson voiced his concerns: “The Biden Administration’s open border policy has allowed millions to enter the U.S. This threat to our national security is immense, and the administration seems oblivious to the crisis they’ve instigated.”
Echoing this sentiment, Senator Marsha Blackburn warned of the potential repercussions of recent events in Israel. She believes the U.S. is increasingly vulnerable due to President Biden’s border policies. “Securing our border and safeguarding our nation is paramount,” she stressed.
Other Republican leaders, including Senator Ted Budd and Representative Rich McCormick, have also expressed their concerns, emphasizing the need to reinstate effective border policies to ensure the nation’s safety.
While the debate on border policies continues, the overarching sentiment among many Republicans is clear: national security must be a top priority, and the current administration’s approach is putting the country at risk.