San Diego, California—In a significant development, an Afghan national on the FBI’s terror watchlist was apprehended while attempting to illegally enter the United States last week.
An Afghan terrorist was arrested at the border. Our enemies know our southern border is a vulnerability.
While Biden gives terrorists an open invite, I'm fighting to bolster border security, crack down on cartels, and keep our streets safe.https://t.co/hUEAGGVmNq
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) May 15, 2023
Sources from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) disclosed to Fox News that the suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, was captured near Otay Mesa in San Diego, California. Following the arrest of the Afghan national, a routine fingerprint scan revealed his presence in the Terrorist Screening Database, promptly triggering an investigation by the FBI.
This incident marks the latest concerning case of its kind. In March, the CBP reported at least 69 non-US citizens on the FBI’s terror watchlist had been apprehended while attempting to illegally cross the southern border since October.
Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from California representing the district where the recent arrest occurred, attributed such incidents to the Biden administration’s failure to address illegal border crossings effectively.
In a statement, Issa asserted, “Biden’s open borders aren’t just a gateway to five million illegals, record human and child trafficking, and the deadliest drug crisis in our history. Biden’s reckless policy is also an open invitation to even the most wanted terrorists in the world to come to America.”
According to CBP Enforcement Statistics for 2023, more than 70 non-US citizens on the FBI’s terror watchlist have been apprehended, surpassing the total of 98 arrests made last year. The recent arrest occurred just a day before the expiration of Title 42, a Trump-era emergency policy that facilitated the expulsion of illegal immigrants from specific countries during the pandemic.
Following the end of Title 42, thousands of illegals have flocked to the border in hopes of seeking asylum in the US, leaving many cities grappling with chaotic situations. Immigration advocates describe the scenario as a crisis, with many migrants residing in unsanitary encampments along the US-Mexico border, including California.
In Texas, the state’s National Guard has been deployed extensively to deter numerous groups attempting to unlawfully enter the country through the Rio Grande. The FBI has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the recent arrest.
