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.