WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Eric Schmitt along with Representative Mark Alford (MO-04) led a coalition of six other Senators and sixteen other Representatives demanding answers regarding adversaries exploiting the wide-open Southern border to infiltrate the United States of America:
“Our foreign adversaries seek to exploit any weakness that we may show, and our Southern border is certainly a weak point. Border Patrol has repeatedly confirmed that illegal immigrants with terrorist ties have been apprehended at the Southern border, but following the terrorist attack in Israel, we need to know exactly who is flooding unabated into our country. From Chinese nationals with ties to the CCP to state-sponsored terrorists, America is less safe because of our porous Southern border, and the American people deserve answers,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.
“We cannot allow terrorists, especially Iranian proxies and CCP agents, to infiltrate our Southern border. That is why we’re asking DoD and DHS to confirm if any agents have crossed out border, planned terrorist attacks that have been thwarted, and if any CCP agents that have crossed our border attempted to access U.S. military installations. It’s difficult to project credible American military power and deterrence abroad when the Biden Administration cannot or will not even secure our own border. We owe it to the American people to protect our country and secure the border once and for all,” said Representative Mark Alford.
“Joe Biden has made every state in America a border state,” said Senator Markwayne Mullin. “His open border is endangering our local communities and undermining U.S. national security. It’s imperative we learn more information on exactly who is coming through our border and the threat they pose to our well-being and way of life. America must send a strong message: we are a nation of laws, and our laws must be enforced.”
“The open southern border has created so many issues across the country like drug abuse, human trafficking, increasing crime. But it is also a massive national security issue as well. Just this year, the border patrol has caught over 160 individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watch list trying to illegally enter our country. The American people need answers, and we need them now. We must hold the Biden administration accountable for their dereliction of duty at border,” said Senator Ted Budd.
“It’s no secret the Biden administration has failed to take care of the border,” said Senator Kevin Cramer. “President Biden is turning blind eye to agents overwhelmed by the increase in illegal crossings, which includes adversaries and terrorists seeking to exploit the gaps. It is critical for the safety of the American people to secure the border and address the crises the administration created.”
BACKGROUND:
The letter is signed by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Representatives Bill Posey (FL-08), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Jason Smith (MO-08), Eric Burlison (MO-07), Randy Weber (TX-14), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), John Joyce (PA-13), Ben Cline (VA-06), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Mike Collins (GA-10), Chris Smith (NJ-04), and Kat Cammack (FL-03).
The letter specifically demands answers to the following questions:
- Considering the ongoing conflict in Israel, please provide confirmation or intelligence as to whether Hamas, Hezbollah, or any Iranian proxy agents have infiltrated our Southern border. If this has occurred, how has the threat been mitigated?
- Since 2021, are you aware of any planned terrorist attack by any terrorist organization being foiled by intercepting individuals illegally crossing the Southern border?
- How many Chinese nationals with ties to the CCP have successfully crossed through our Southern border?
- Have any Chinese foreign nationals who made unauthorized border crossings then attempted to access U.S. military installations?
- What steps are DHS and DoD taking to ensure terrorists are not among the millions of illegal immigrants streaming through our Southern border?