U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, is intensifying his scrutiny of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its head, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, over concerns surrounding the transport and screening of illegal border crossers within the United States at the expense of taxpayers.
This inquiry emerges amidst reports that a historic number of individuals listed on the U.S. terrorist watchlist, totaling at least 1,856, have been detained under the tenure of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Furthermore, Congress has voiced apprehension regarding the apprehension of a significant number of "Special Interest Aliens," according to The Center Square.
Cruz's demand for clarity from Mayorkas follows revelations from an audit by the DHS Office of Inspector General that highlighted severe vetting lapses at a major international airport, leading to hundreds of illegal foreign nationals being released into the country without adequate security checks. These audits underscore a troubling pattern where U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are failing to effectively screen and vet noncitizens before their release. In some instances, individuals identified as known or suspected terrorists were allowed entry due to flawed practices.
Highlighting these concerns, Cruz referred to additional findings indicating that numerous individuals had evaded Transportation Security Administration security measures to access restricted areas within airports. He also brought attention to testimony by Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray before Congress regarding heightened national security threats and terrorism concerns linked to individuals in the U.S. with ties to ISIS who entered through the southern border.
Cruz criticizes what he perceives as lax border policies under the Biden-Harris administration for compromising airport security in three primary ways: Firstly, through an unprecedented influx of improperly vetted aliens entering U.S. airports via parole programs; secondly, by allowing over 813,000 inadmissible foreigners entry through CBP One app processing at ports of entry; and thirdly, city officials' decisions to house illegal border crossers at airports pose additional risks.
Furthermore, Cruz highlighted legal challenges against certain DHS immigration policies deemed illegal by multiple states and House Republicans — criticisms dismissed by Senate Democrats who refused impeachment charges against Mayorkas for these actions.
Despite assurances from Mayorkas regarding rigorous screening processes for those released into the country, a DHS OIG report contradicts these claims by pointing out inadequacies in accessing complete biometric data needed for thorough vetting via the CBP One app.
Amidst these controversies, Cruz has demanded detailed information regarding illegal foreign nationals flown or housed in several major airports across cities like Boston and Chicago as well as accommodations provided by various city authorities and federal agencies. Despite setting a deadline for this information request on Sept. 10th , Cruz's office confirms that DHS has yet to deliver a substantive response.
This ongoing situation raises significant questions about national security and immigration policy efficacy under current administration policies—issues that Senator Cruz seems determined to keep in public discourse until satisfactory answers are forthcoming from DHS officials.
This inquiry emerges amidst reports that a historic number of individuals listed on the U.S. terrorist watchlist, totaling at least 1,856, have been detained under the tenure of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Furthermore, Congress has voiced apprehension regarding the apprehension of a significant number of "Special Interest Aliens," according to The Center Square.
Cruz's demand for clarity from Mayorkas follows revelations from an audit by the DHS Office of Inspector General that highlighted severe vetting lapses at a major international airport, leading to hundreds of illegal foreign nationals being released into the country without adequate security checks. These audits underscore a troubling pattern where U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are failing to effectively screen and vet noncitizens before their release. In some instances, individuals identified as known or suspected terrorists were allowed entry due to flawed practices.
Highlighting these concerns, Cruz referred to additional findings indicating that numerous individuals had evaded Transportation Security Administration security measures to access restricted areas within airports. He also brought attention to testimony by Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray before Congress regarding heightened national security threats and terrorism concerns linked to individuals in the U.S. with ties to ISIS who entered through the southern border.
Cruz criticizes what he perceives as lax border policies under the Biden-Harris administration for compromising airport security in three primary ways: Firstly, through an unprecedented influx of improperly vetted aliens entering U.S. airports via parole programs; secondly, by allowing over 813,000 inadmissible foreigners entry through CBP One app processing at ports of entry; and thirdly, city officials' decisions to house illegal border crossers at airports pose additional risks.
Furthermore, Cruz highlighted legal challenges against certain DHS immigration policies deemed illegal by multiple states and House Republicans — criticisms dismissed by Senate Democrats who refused impeachment charges against Mayorkas for these actions.
Despite assurances from Mayorkas regarding rigorous screening processes for those released into the country, a DHS OIG report contradicts these claims by pointing out inadequacies in accessing complete biometric data needed for thorough vetting via the CBP One app.
Amidst these controversies, Cruz has demanded detailed information regarding illegal foreign nationals flown or housed in several major airports across cities like Boston and Chicago as well as accommodations provided by various city authorities and federal agencies. Despite setting a deadline for this information request on Sept. 10th , Cruz's office confirms that DHS has yet to deliver a substantive response.
This ongoing situation raises significant questions about national security and immigration policy efficacy under current administration policies—issues that Senator Cruz seems determined to keep in public discourse until satisfactory answers are forthcoming from DHS officials.
