Steve Daines reports recent arrests of Middle Eastern illegal immigrants at US border.
Illegal Immigrants from Middle Eastern Countries Caught at US-Mexico Border, Raises Concerns
According to Republican Senator Steve Daines, Border Patrol agents have apprehended illegal immigrants from various Middle Eastern countries at the United States-Mexico border since the beginning of the month. This has become a cause for concern, especially in light of the recent Hamas terror attack in Israel.
Senator Daines Visits Rio Grande Valley to Investigate
Senator Daines recently visited the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas to gain insight into the methods used by individuals to enter the United States. He was particularly alarmed by the number of people entering the country, especially those who managed to evade capture.
“Since the first of October, Border Patrol agents have apprehended individuals from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya. Malaysia, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Yemen,” Daines said in a media call following his visit. ”This is just in the last 10 days.”
The threat of terrorism has intensified following the recent Hamas attack in Israel, where over 1,000 Israelis were killed, and numerous women and infants were subjected to horrific acts of violence. The death toll, including casualties in Gaza, has reached at least 1,800 lives lost, including 11 Americans.
Record Number of Terror Watch List Individuals Apprehended
From October 2022 to August 2023, Border Patrol agents apprehended 151 non-U.S. citizens who were on the FBI’s terror watch list or affiliated with someone on the list. This is the highest annual number in the Border Patrol’s history, surpassing previous records.
“I’m very concerned about potential sleeper cells that can be coming across our southern border. I asked Border Patrol agents how Syrian, how Lebanese, how Middle Eastern country citizens can come in, and they told me they fly first and foremost to an airport in the Middle East — could be Saudi Arabia, could be in Dubai — and then from there, they take a flight to Colombia,” Daines said. “Then from Colombia. They’re taking a trip oftentimes by bus across Central America, across Mexico [to] our southern border.”
During his visit to McAllen, Texas, Senator Daines encountered four men from Syria who were arrested at the Border Patrol’s adult processing center. He also spoke with a Cuban man who had just crossed the border and was flying to Boston, revealing that he had paid a Mexican cartel $4,000 for his journey. Similar stories were shared by two Venezuelans who paid $3,000 to $4,000 to Mexican cartels.
According to CBP data, over 10,000 illegal immigrants from Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, and Syria were arrested at the border between October 2021 and October 2023.
Concerns Over Screening Process and Border Security
The Department of Homeland Security has protocols in place to screen immigrants at the border, as well as airports, seaports, and land points of entry. However, immigrants can only be screened against U.S. criminal databases, leaving arrests and convictions in other countries unknown to federal authorities.
Senator Daines expressed dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s approach to border security but commended the decision to construct 20 miles of border wall in the Rio Grande Valley to deter further illegal crossings.
“Gotaways, in other words, you’ve laid eyes on him, either physically or through video cameras, but never had a chance to stop them and interview them,” Daines said. “Who are these 1.5 million gotaways that are in our country? And those are just the ones that we saw on video cameras and physical eyes.”
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to Senator Daines’ statements.
Source: The Washington Examiner
Lumbia or Panama and cross over to Mexico,” Senator Daines revealed. “From Mexico, they then cross the Mexican-American border and enter the United States.”
How does the Mexican government collaborate with the United States in preventing illegal immigration through these PAA routes
The Mexican government collaborates with the United States in preventing illegal immigration through the PAA (Pacific and Atlantic Alternative) routes through various strategies and initiatives. Some of these include:
1. Enhanced border security: Mexico has implemented stricter border enforcement measures, including increased patrolling and the deployment of more security personnel along its borders. This helps to prevent unauthorized border crossings and reduce the number of individuals attempting to use PAA routes for illegal immigration.
2. Information sharing: The Mexican government shares intelligence and information related to illegal immigration activities with U.S. authorities. This includes sharing data on human trafficking networks, smuggling routes, and other relevant information to help identify and apprehend individuals involved in illegal immigration.
3. Joint operations: Mexican and U.S. law enforcement agencies conduct joint operations and initiatives to target human smuggling networks operating in the PAA routes. This involves coordinated efforts such as joint patrols, interagency collaboration, and intelligence sharing to disrupt and dismantle these networks.
4. Bilateral agreements: Mexico and the United States have signed various bilateral agreements, including the Merida Initiative, which aims to enhance security cooperation between the two countries. These agreements facilitate collaborative efforts to address security challenges, including illegal immigration, along the PAA routes.
5. Border infrastructure development: Both countries invest in the development of infrastructure at the border regions to improve security and control. This includes the installation of surveillance systems, construction of border fences, and the implementation of technological advancements to enhance monitoring capabilities.
6. Migration and asylum policies: Mexico has implemented stricter migration and asylum policies to discourage illegal immigration. This includes implementing stricter documentation requirements, reinforcing immigration checkpoints, and enhancing the processing of asylum applications. These measures aim to deter individuals from attempting illegal border crossings through PAA routes.
It is important to note that the collaboration between the Mexican government and the United States in preventing illegal immigration through the PAA routes is an ongoing effort, as both countries continually assess and adapt their strategies to address evolving challenges.
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