Sen.Rand Paul - Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Sen.Rand Paul - Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
On June 14, 2024, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), along with fellow Republican Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Lankford (R-OK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), sent a letter to committee Chairman Gary Peters requesting a hearing to examine the threat of individuals exploiting the Southern border for potential terrorist activities.
The letter details concerns regarding the Biden administration's border policies, which have allegedly allowed millions to cross into the United States, including individuals with potential criminal and terrorist intent. The senators highlighted recent arrests of eight foreign nationals with suspected ties to ISIS as evidence of this threat. Since 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has apprehended 360 individuals on the terrorist watchlist attempting to cross the Southwest border illegally.
Attorney General Merrick Garland and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray have both expressed concern over these developments. Garland stated before the House Judiciary Committee on June 4, 2024: "I’m worried about the possibility of a terrorist attack in the country after October 7. The threat level has gone up enormously. Every morning, we worry about this question." On the same day, Wray testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: "We have seen over the last five to six years an increase in the number of known or suspected terrorists, in other words, watch-listed suspects attempting to cross the border."
The senators' letter calls for a public hearing with top officials from relevant federal agencies to discuss strategies for addressing what they describe as a significant increase in terrorists entering the country due to current border policies.
They concluded by urging Chairman Peters to convene this critically needed hearing promptly.
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