Nearly 100 migrants with potential terrorism links were released into U.S. communities in 2024, sparking widespread concern.
According to Breitbart, this development was revealed by Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence under President Donald Trump, emphasizing the potential security risks involved.
At a recent press conference held at the U.S. southern border, Tulsi Gabbard discussed these alarming statistics. Gabbard, appointed by President Trump, detailed the intricate network used by these migrants to enter the United States. The information was brought to light as a result of intensive investigations by the National Counterterrorism Center.
According to Gabbard's statements, more than 4,000 migrants from Central Asia exploited an ISIS-affiliated network to cross into the U.S. territories. "From Central Asia, there were over 4,000 people who came across our borders using an ISIS-affiliated network," Gabbard explained, highlighting the extensive reach and organization of the network involved.
The National Counterterrorism Center's efforts were essential in the identification process of these individuals. Gabbard noted, "Our National Counterterrorism Center went through and identified those individuals. Hundreds of them were either known terrorists or associated with known terrorists." This crucial intelligence was provided to the Biden Administration, which faced critical decision-making on how to proceed.
Despite the concerning profiles of these individuals, the majority were released. "You may remember in some of the news, a little over 100 of those people were arrested in 2024," Gabbard revealed. "Of those who were arrested, only eight were either deported or remained in custody; the rest of them were released back into our country."
This issue has drawn comparisons between the border policies of President Biden and Trump. During Trump's presidency, stricter border controls reportedly resulted in reduced crossings.
In contrast, the Biden administration has seen a significant increase in migrant entries, with Gabbard and her colleagues criticizing the administration's approach to managing border security and migrant vetting.
Adding to the discourse, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accompanied Gabbard at the press conference. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new policies intended to penalize countries that facilitate illegal migrant transit through their territories.
This series of events underscores the varying approaches to border security and immigration policy between different administrations. Detailed reports have highlighted the arrest of Special Interest Aliens, noting that more than 10,000 were apprehended in just over two months of the fiscal year. Such statistics are used to argue for more stringent measures to vet and monitor individuals entering the country.
Community safety and national security issues have been further highlighted by specific incidents involving migrants with radical beliefs, such as the attack on a Jewish man in Chicago by a Muslim migrant.
Moreover, the Border Patrol's arrest of three Syrian migrants attempting to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands by boat on December 5 adds another layer of concern regarding the current immigration oversight.
Despite these specific incidents, broader federal statistics have not conclusively shown widespread adverse behavior among Islamic migrants in the U.S. However, the lack of public information regarding security measures for migrant workers, including those on H-1B visas, continues to be a point of debate.
The Administration's response to these issues could shape future immigration policies and the effectiveness of the U.S.'s approach to national security, especially in areas prone to exploitation by terrorist networks. This ongoing concern necessitates continuous monitoring and adaptation of border security tactics.