Renewed Focus on American Border Security: Hamas Incursion into Israel Raises Concerns

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  • Source: Wayne Dupree
  • 10/10/2023
The recent incursion by Hamas into Israel through a highly fortified border has brought about a renewed focus on the security of American borders. Republicans have expressed concerns that potential attackers, similar to those involved in the 9/11 attacks, may be plotting to enter the United States or have already done so.

Lawmakers have called upon President Biden to recognize the potential threats to the United States and take appropriate measures in response. They are urging for the construction of additional border walls, deployment of troops, and an end to the practice of catch-and-release, which has resulted in numerous unauthorized migrants dispersing into various communities throughout the nation.

In light of recent events, it is imperative that we reflect upon the situation at hand and carefully assess the resources and measures in place along our own border. The question raised by the individual is, "Which cells have been permitted to enter this location?" During a recent interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California and former House speaker, shared his thoughts and opinions.

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During their time on the campaign trail, Republican candidates voiced their demands for the Biden administration to alter its current course of action.

Bernie Moreno, a candidate seeking the Republican nomination for a Senate seat in Ohio, has proposed a measure to address the influx of migrants crossing the U.S. border. Specifically, Moreno has called for a temporary suspension of all asylum claims until the year 2025. This proposal aims to effectively address the current situation by halting the flow of individuals seeking asylum in the United States.

According to Mr. Moreno, it is imperative for America to promptly take action in order to safeguard our nation, considering the distressing visuals that have emerged from Israel. The leaders of Iran, along with certain terrorist groups, are known to frequently express their strong opposition towards Israel and the United States by chanting slogans such as "Death to Israel" and "Death to America." In order to ensure the safety and well-being of the American population, it is imperative that we take proactive measures rather than adopting a reactive approach.

According to analysts, the concern is not primarily focused on a Hamas-style assault, where armed individuals forcefully enter border breaches to carry out acts of violence such as shooting up neighborhoods, causing mass casualties at music festivals, and taking hostages. However, the recent attack in Israel serves as a reminder that the perception of the Middle Eastern terrorist threat being diminished is shattered.

According to Andrew "Art" Arthur, a former acting chief of the national security law division at the Immigration and Naturalization Service and an immigration judge, the United States has held a belief for a significant portion of the past decade that there are no groups that harbor intentions to target Western institutions. It has been established that the statement made is false based on the events that occurred on October 7th.

The speaker highlighted the notable contrast between the current immigration debate and the discussions that took place prior to 2001.

According to the 9/11 Commission report, policymakers were faced with various questions regarding immigration and border security in the lead up to the attack. These questions included considerations about the appropriate level and type of immigration, the issue of drugs at the border, the increasing involvement of smuggling organizations in illegal immigration, as well as the migration pressures experienced in the Caribbean and other regions. The report highlighted these failures as contributing factors to the tragic event that resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives.

The commission noted that there was a lack of focus on the potential for terrorists to exploit the immigration system.

The primary purpose behind the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to prevent the occurrence of such incidents. According to Mr. Arthur, despite its importance, it is surprising that they are not doing it.

According to him, there are flashing warning signs.

One of the most prominent and easily recognizable tools used in the field of counterterrorism is the terrorism watchlist. According to the data, a total of 151 individuals have been identified as having illegally crossed the southern border between October 1, 2022, and August 31, 2023. This figure surpasses the previous record of 98 individuals, which was also recorded during President Biden's tenure. During the years of the Trump administration, a total of only 11 individuals who were on the watchlist were apprehended.

In the previous year, authorities made a significant disclosure regarding a terrorist plot aimed at assassinating former President George W. Bush. The plan involved an Islamic State hit squad, which an operative from ISIS intended to clandestinely transport across the border. The operative informed an FBI informant that he had successfully facilitated the illegal entry of two individuals who were affiliated with Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group supported by Iran, which shares similarities with Hamas, a militant organization in Israel.

That man, Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, has pleaded guilty to attempting to support terrorists and is awaiting sentencing.

At the Homeland Security Department, the 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment released last month said foreign terrorist organizations remain interested in attacking the U.S. but suggested that illegal drugs and social media disinformation are larger domestic threats. America’s vulnerability to a terrorist attack linked to a lax border has been heatedly debated, including at a congressional hearing last month.

“Not a single American has been injured or killed by a terrorist who crossed our southern border without authorization,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Washington Democrat.

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Alex Nowrasteh, an immigration expert at the Cato Institute, told lawmakers that the watchlist is a poor yardstick for terrorism, given problems with the list and the types of names included. He said most of those nabbed are likely Colombians associated with rebel insurgencies that the U.S. has labeled as terrorist.

“The chance of dying from a foreign-born terrorist attack since 1975 is 1 in 4.4 million per year,” Mr. Nowrasteh said. Rodney Scott, who served as chief of the Border Patrol until his ouster by the Biden administration in 2021, said the things he sees on the border “scare the hell out of me.”


 

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