The Risk of Terrorist Attacks in the US Rises with Open Borders
Former CIA Deputy Director Mike Morrell recently wrote an op-ed for Foreign Affairs warning that the terror threat posed by vulnerabilities at the U.S.-Mexico border is “blinking red.” The risk of a terrorist attack in the United States perpetrated by foreign nationals released at the border or paroled in by the Biden administration is a real concern, but the exact extent of this risk remains unknown.
The number of known or suspected terrorists caught entering illegally in Fiscal Year 2024 so far is 194, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, the true risk lies in the “gotaways” who sneak into the country undetected every year.
The U.S. has improved screening methods and information sharing post-9/11, but the lack of cooperation from countries like China, Cuba, and Venezuela makes it difficult to assess and avoid the risk of terrorism. With the relatively open border under the Biden administration, the risk of terrorism on U.S. soil is at an alarmingly high level.
Recent incidents, such as two Jordanian illegal aliens attempting to enter the Quantico Marine base in Virginia and a Chinese national accidentally wandering onto a Marine base in California, highlight the potential threats posed by individuals from countries with known terrorist groups.
Despite the risks, the government continues to allow thousands of people, including those from countries with ties to terrorism, to enter the U.S. without proper verification of their identity or criminal history. The diversion of Border Patrol resources from detaining and deporting illegal immigrants to other tasks further exacerbates the situation.
It is only a matter of time before a preventable terrorist attack is carried out in the U.S. by foreign nationals. The unprecedented pool of illegal aliens released or paroled by the Biden administration poses a significant threat, and urgent action is needed to address this growing risk.
