Former FBI officials have sent a letter to Congress expressing their concerns over a 'new and imminent danger' at the southern border. This warning comes after a record-breaking 302,000 migrants illegally crossed into the United States in December. One of the co-authors of the letter, Chris Swecker, a former FBI assistant director, highlighted the specific threat in the letter, comparing it to a recent attack in Israel.
Swecker emphasized that the open 1,800-mile border represents the greatest security risk in our lifetime. While other modes of transportation are diligently guarded and protected, the vulnerability at the border undermines all the efforts of intelligence agencies. With an open border, the country lacks the ability to vet and identify individuals coming in. Swecker mentioned that there are approximately 800,000 'gotaways' and close to 2 million migrant encounters or attempts to enter the country.
The letter also disclosed alarming statistics regarding the potential risk at the border. Between October and December 2023, 50 individuals apprehended as part of cross-border migration were on the terror watch list. Furthermore, in the current fiscal year, there have been an estimated 83,500 gotaways, and in fiscal year 2023, there were 860,000 known gotaways. These figures highlight the magnitude of the challenge faced by immigration enforcement.
Swecker stressed the inability to measure the risk to the country due to the large number of individuals entering without proper vetting procedures. He stated that it only takes a few trained professionals to conduct a devastating attack in the United States. Organizations such as Hezbollah and other terrorist groups have already been infiltrating the country, and with the open border, the risk of a catastrophic attack becomes even more significant.
In response to immigration proponents dismissing the concerns as anti-immigrant alarmism, Swecker clarified that this is not a political issue but rather a matter of national security. He emphasized that everyone supports legal immigration, but it is essential to know who is entering the country. Swecker reiterated that the open border compromises all the security measures that have been in place since 9/11.
The letter to Congress concludes by calling the current situation an unfolding invasion of the homeland. The authors express their belief that military-age men from various countries, including those not friendly to the United States, are landing in waves on American soil. Swecker's message is clear: border security is crucial for national security, and the risk posed by the open border is unparalleled in our lifetime.
