The U.S. Government’s terrorist watchlist has grown by almost double in the last 6 years, now containing 2 million individuals, according to a report
The U.S. Government’s Terrorist Watchlist Continues to Grow
The U.S. government’s terrorist watchlist has seen a significant increase in the number of potential threats, now totaling around two million individuals. This number has nearly doubled in just six years, according to a CBS News report.
Initially launched in 2003 after the September 11 terror attacks, the watchlist started with approximately 120,000 names. Over the next 14 years, it grew exponentially, reaching over 1.1 million people by 2017. In the past six years alone, the watchlist has nearly doubled, now including thousands of American citizens, as reported by CBS News.
According to the report, the watchlist has been quietly expanding both in numbers and in the individuals it targets. The federal government adds people to the watchlist if they are reasonably suspected of involvement in terrorism.
Russ Travers, an intelligence community veteran involved in creating the watchlist, emphasized that not everyone on the list is a terrorist.
“It means there’s something that has led a department or agency to say, ‘This person needs a closer look,’” Travers said.
The watchlist likely includes individuals who are deceased, and there are outdated names as well. However, due to limited staff, it is challenging to keep everyone’s file updated regularly, according to national security officials.
Monte Hawkins, who has served on the National Security Council under multiple presidents, stated that the two million people on the watchlist are there for a reason. He also noted that the vast majority of those on the list are not U.S. citizens or legal residents.
In recent times, many individuals on the terrorist watchlist have attempted to cross the U.S. southern border illegally. Customs and Border Protection agents arrested 169 people on the watchlist attempting to enter the country in 2023, up from 98 in 2022, as reported by Fox News’ Bill Melugin in October. In 2021, only 15 people on the watchlist were arrested attempting to cross into the U.S., and in 2020, the number was three.
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These revelations about the expanding terrorist watchlist coincide with warnings from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security regarding increased terror threats. Groups like Hamas and other foreign terrorists pose a significant risk, as highlighted by the FBI Director Chris Wray in his recent statement before Congress.
“In a year where the terrorism threat was already elevated, the ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the United States to a whole other level,” Wray stated. “On top of the so-called lone actor threat, we cannot and do not discount the possibility that Hamas, or another foreign terrorist organization, may exploit the current conflict to conduct attacks here on our own soil.”
What concerns arise from the growing size of the watchlist, and what efforts have been made to address these concerns
Pted to carry out attacks or have been arrested for their involvement in terrorist activities. For example, a Nigerian man on the watchlist attempted to detonate a bomb on a flight to Detroit on Christmas Day in 2009. Additionally, the Boston Marathon bombers were also on the watchlist prior to their attack in 2013.
The rise in the number of individuals on the watchlist can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, advancements in technology and intelligence gathering have improved the ability to identify potential threats. Government agencies now have access to vast amounts of data, including travel records, financial transactions, and social media activity, allowing them to better track and monitor individuals.
Secondly, the global landscape has changed significantly since the watchlist was first established. The rise of extremist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda has led to an increase in radicalization and recruitment efforts. As a result, more individuals are being influenced by extremist ideologies and are willing to carry out acts of violence.
However, the growing size of the watchlist also raises concerns about its effectiveness and potential for abuse. Critics argue that the inclusion of individuals without sufficient evidence of their involvement in terrorism infringes upon their civil liberties. There have been cases where innocent individuals have been mistakenly placed on the watchlist, causing significant hardships and damaging their reputations.
Moreover, the sheer number of individuals on the watchlist poses challenges for law enforcement agencies in terms of effectively monitoring and prioritizing potential threats. Limited resources and staff make it difficult to thoroughly investigate each individual on the list, potentially allowing real threats to slip through the cracks.
Efforts have been made to address these concerns. In 2015, the government implemented a redress process, allowing individuals to request to be removed from the watchlist if they believe they were included in error. Additionally, legislation has been proposed to improve oversight of the watchlist and ensure that individuals’ civil liberties are protected.
The terrorist watchlist remains an essential tool in the fight against terrorism, as it allows law enforcement agencies to identify and track potential threats. However, it is crucial that the government continues to refine the watchlist, ensuring that it is both effective in combating terrorism and respects individuals’ rights.
In conclusion, the U.S. government’s terrorist watchlist has experienced a significant increase in the number of individuals over the past few years. While improvements in technology and intelligence gathering have contributed to this rise, the growing size of the watchlist raises concerns about its effectiveness and potential for abuse. It is essential for the government to strike a balance between maintaining national security and protecting individuals’ civil liberties.
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