United States federal authorities recently raised concerns over the potential infiltration of members from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and Hezbollah through the southern border.
This warning was highlighted in an internal memo dated October 20, which was exclusively obtained by a news foundation. The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, which escalated with terror attacks on civilians on October 7, put the federal authorities on high alert.
The San Diego Field Office Intelligence Division of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued the memo, warning about potential encounters with individuals linked to these terrorist organizations at the US southern border.
The memo suggests individuals inspired by or reacting to the current Israel-Hamas conflict may attempt to travel to or from the area of hostilities in the Middle East via circuitous transit across the Southwest border.
BREAKING: Border Patrol issues official warning foreign terrorist fighters from Hamas and Hezbollah may be encountered at wide-open southern border pic.twitter.com/8kdNtBwhCv
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 23, 2023
The memo further warns foreign fighters motivated by ideology or mercenary soldiers of fortune may attempt to obfuscate travel to or from the US to or from countries in the Middle East through Mexico.
This development comes after certain left-leaning politicians are already calling on the United States to take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza.
FBI Director Chris Wray issued a dire warning about the rise of violent extremism. He expressed his condolences to the people of Israel and shared outrage at the sheer brutality and disregard for innocent lives there.
Wray indicated there has been a significant uptick in reported threats following the attacks, cautioning the public to remain vigilant for “lone actors.”
In this heightened environment, there’s no question we’re seeing an increase in reported threats, and we’ve got to be on the lookout, especially for lone actors who may take inspiration from recent events to commit violence of their own.
🚨JUST IN: U.S. Concerns about Hamas Entering the Border
– CBP has reported a notable increase in terror watchlist encounters near the U.S. border in recent months
– Concerns have been raised about the potential infiltration of individuals associated with groups like Hamas,… pic.twitter.com/71tX2vgMuG
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 23, 2023
As previously reported, September now holds the record for most encounters with illegal aliens at an alarming 269,735. Then total up the fiscal year for 2023 and the number is at 2.47 million encounters with illegals! That is the highest for any year on record.
In the fiscal year 2023, 736 known or suspected terrorists (KST) were apprehended at the U.S. border as of September 15, a month before the terror attack. 66% of those apprehended were allegedly at the northern border.
In fiscal year 2023, Border Patrol apprehended 151 migrants with positive terrorism watchlist matches who entered the U.S. illegally along the southern border and 216 people, including U.S. citizens, on the terrorist watchlist who had been stopped at the southern border.
The total of 736 is the greatest number of KSTs apprehended in recorded U.S. history. A significant majority – 66% – were apprehended at the northern border, 487. By comparison, 249 were apprehended at the southwest border.
These alarming developments call for stricter measures to safeguard the nation’s frontiers.
