WorthyNews:736 known or suspected terrorists apprehended at U.S. border in fiscal 2023

[WorthyNewsBot]

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor

(Worthy News) – There were 736 known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) apprehended at the northern and southern borders in fiscal 2023.

The Center Square initially reported 659 were apprehended for the fiscal year, as of Sept. 15, 2023. The fiscal year ended Sept. 30.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection published new data this weekend revealing that federal agents apprehended an additional 77 in the last two weeks of September.

The total of 736 is the greatest number of KSTs apprehended in recorded U.S. history.

https://www.worthynews.com/wordpressimages/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-23-at-11.52.51%E2%80%AFPM-867x720.png

A significant majority – 66% – were apprehended at the northern border, 487. By comparison, 249 were apprehended at the southwest border.

These numbers don’t include gotaways, which are believed to also include KSTs. “Gotaways” is the official U.S. Customs and Border Patrol term that refers to those who illegally enter the U.S. between ports of entry, don’t return to Mexico or Canada, and are not apprehended. They total at least nearly 1.7 million since January 2021. However, the number is believed to be much higher because not all gotaways are known and or reported.

With people illegally entering the U.S. from over 170 countries, former ICE Chief Tom Homan told The Center Square some of these countries they are coming from are sponsors of terrorism.

“If you don’t think a single one of the 1.7 million [gotaways] is coming from a country that sponsors terrorism, then you’re ignoring the data,” he said. “That’s what makes this a huge national security issue.”

KSTs are primarily apprehended two different ways by two different federal agents. Office of Field Operations (OFO) agents, who work at land ports of entry, are tasked with stopping “inadmissables,” or illegal foreign nationals, KSTs and a range of other people or contraband prior to entering the U.S.

Border Patrol agents work between ports of entry, patrolling the border to apprehend foreign nationals who’ve already illegally entered the U.S.

In addition to the majority of KSTs apprehended at the northern border, the majority were also caught attempting to enter through ports of entry.

OFO agents working at northern ports of entry have apprehended more than those at southwest ports of entry in four out of the last seven fiscal years.

In fiscal 2023, OFO agents apprehended 484 KSTs at northern border ports of entry and 80 KSTs at southwest border land ports of entry, totaling 564 at ports of entry at both borders.

Border Patrol agents apprehended 169 KSTs between ports of entry along the southwest border and three between ports of entry along the northern border, totaling 154.

The Terrorist Screening Dataset is the federal database that contains sensitive information on terrorist identities, CBP said. It originated as a consolidated terrorist watchlist “to house information on known or suspected terrorists but evolved over the last decade to include additional individuals who represent a potential threat to the United States, including known affiliates of watchlisted individuals.”

By comparison, OFO and Border Patrol agents combined apprehended a total of 478 KSTs in fiscal 2022, 173 in fiscal 2021, 199 in fiscal 2020, 541 in fiscal 2019, 357 in fiscal 2018, and 353 in fiscal 2017.

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[FJK]

At least we caught them, or at least we caught this many of them.

[NConly]

No one to blame but biden

[OneLight]

I must say that I'm a bit surprised that so many more are entering from Canada than the southern border.  I understand that it is much easier to do so, but, at the same time, it was my understanding that the US and Canada were partners in catching undesirables like this.  They must enter Canada from the airports or by boat, so the first line of defense would be there, not at the border itself.  With the many miles of wilderness between our two countries, it is much easier to hike through wooded areas than the deserts, making it even more important that people are checked when they exit the airplanes or exit the boats at the ports.

It seems to me, with numbers like this, it is evident that the US will soon be busy fighting within our own borders with these cells, removing our focus from other wars and focusing on our own cities.  It's good that this many were stopped, yet I'm sure many more got through.

[teddyv]

On 10/23/2023 at 8:54 PM, WorthyNewsBot said:

Border Patrol agents apprehended 169 KSTs between ports of entry along the southwest border and three between ports of entry along the northern border, totaling 154.

Somebody needs to check their addition.

[ayin jade]

On 10/24/2023 at 9:02 AM, OneLight said:

I must say that I'm a bit surprised that so many more are entering from Canada than the southern border.  I understand that it is much easier to do so, but, at the same time, it was my understanding that the US and Canada were partners in catching undesirables like this.  They must enter Canada from the airports or by boat, so the first line of defense would be there, not at the border itself.  With the many miles of wilderness between our two countries, it is much easier to hike through wooded areas than the deserts, making it even more important that people are checked when they exit the airplanes or exit the boats at the ports.

It seems to me, with numbers like this, it is evident that the US will soon be busy fighting within our own borders with these cells, removing our focus from other wars and focusing on our own cities.  It's good that this many were stopped, yet I'm sure many more got through.

More are caught at northern border because the southern border is mostly ignored. For years on the southern border there have been islamic items ... quran etc.. left on the known illegal immigrant routes through the desert.

[OneLight]

7 hours ago, ayin jade said:

More are caught at northern border because the southern border is mostly ignored. For years on the southern border there have been islamic items ... quran etc.. left on the known illegal immigrant routes through the desert.

Very true, the southern border is being ignored by the government, not the citizens though.  I will say that I'm also surprised that some militia hasn't stepped up to take things into their own hands.  Watch what happens if something goes down in the US.

[ayin jade]

50 minutes ago, OneLight said:

Very true, the southern border is being ignored by the government, not the citizens though.  I will say that I'm also surprised that some militia hasn't stepped up to take things into their own hands.  Watch what happens if something goes down in the US.

There was a group in arizona years back that acted as a militia. Peaceful. No one was harmed. The feds came down hard on them and they were forced under threat of being charged with multiple felonies to disband.

[OneLight]

52 minutes ago, ayin jade said:

There was a group in arizona years back that acted as a militia. Peaceful. No one was harmed. The feds came down hard on them and they were forced under threat of being charged with multiple felonies to disband.

I remember them.  Never shot anyone, rounded up a few, observed and reported ... that's all I remember.   Leave it to the feds to shut down anyone who does things better than they do!