Republican U.S. Representative Roger Williams of north Texas has introduced a bill which would require federal agents to screen everyone entering the country illegally against the federal terrorist watch list. Many are questioning why this has not already been an implemented law, particularly as more than 200 known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) have already been apprehended trying to enter the U.S. illegally this fiscal year alone.
The Center Square reported that when announcing the bill, Williams said, “We are a land of laws, and it is past time this Administration acts like it. [President] Joe Biden is encouraging a deadly invasion of fighting-age men on American soil and each day this Democrat-created influx of illegal aliens allows bad actors to slip past Border Patrol undetected.”
“Under current law, CBP is not required to screen migrants against the terrorist watchlist database, and as we have seen too often, dangerous criminals are released into our nation who go on to harm American citizens and communities,” Williams said. “Now more than ever, we must be aware of who is in our country as Republicans fight to restore law and order and end Biden’s deadly open border policies that are destroying America.”
Williams last month also introduced a bill to have the federal government reimburse Texas for its border security costs. Current law does not require illegal border crossers to be screened against the terrorist watch list. CBP agents at ports of entry and Border Patrol agents between ports of entry do follow the practice and apprehend KSTs.
The Center Square notes prominent figures have been attempting to make dire warnings:
FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the U.S. Senate last fall about terrorist threats facing Americans including from Iranians. More than a month after he spoke, northern border agents apprehended an Iranian with terrorist ties.
Retired FBI officials also warned Congress in January that a terrorist attack was likely imminent and preventable. Earlier this month, Wray testified again before the Senate acknowledging that a smuggling organization working with the terrorist group ISIS is funneling criminals through the U.S. border. He said the FBI was investigating its operations that “we’re very concerned about.”
Fiscal 2023 incurred the greatest number of KSTs, 736, apprehended at the northern and southern borders, The Center Square reported. A significant majority – 66% – were apprehended at the northern border, 487; 249 were apprehended at the southwest border.
