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Congressional Report Warns Terrorists Have Embedded Themselves in Migrant Caravans

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A new report by the House Homeland Security Committee found that suspected terrorists have infiltrated the so-called migrant caravans, as the Trump administration has been warning.

The executive summary for the report titled, “Stopping Terrorist Travel Through Illicit Pathways to the Homeland” explains that due to increased security measures at the United States ports of entry since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks “that those who wish to bring harm to America have to explore non-traditional ways of entering our country.”

According to the report, Mexico has discovered several Special Interest Aliens and known or suspected terrorists traveling toward the U.S. border in caravans but “lacks the infrastructure and capacity to repatriate SIAs of national security concern especially outside the hemisphere.”

The overall findings were compiled over a six-month period by the Homeland Security Committee based on briefings, meetings, and site visits by its members and staff to Brazil, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Columbia, Mexico, and Panama.

The Center for Immigration Studies highlighted some other findings including the discovery of ISIS materials and other publications encouraging followers to cross into the U.S. from the southwest border.

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Further, DHS border patrol agents “routinely” encounter SIAs at border crossings.

According to Fox News, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen reportedly told Democrat leaders at the White House last week that border patrol officials apprehended about 3,000 people with terrorist ties and 17,000 criminals seeking to cross into the U.S. in 2018.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded, “I reject your facts” regarding Nielsen’s presentation.

“These aren’t my facts,” Nielsen shot back. “These are the facts.”

Do you believe lack of security at the southern border creates a terrorist threat?

President Donald Trump included the criminal record statistic in a tweet over the weekend, writing, “We are working hard at the Border, but we need a WALL!”

“In 2018, 1.7 million pounds of narcotics seized, 17,000 adults arrested with criminal records, and 6000 gang members, including MS-13, apprehended. A big Human Trafficking problem.”

Trump is slated to address the nation about the need for increased security measures at the border, including over 200 miles of new barrier fencing.

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Trump told reporters at the White House he may declare a national emergency in order to get funding to build a border wall.

“We can call a national emergency because of the security of our country… I haven’t done it, I may do it,” he said.

“We can call a national emergency and build it very quickly,” Trump added. “But if we can do it through a negotiated process, we are giving that a shot.”

USA Today reported that presidents have broad powers to make such declarations.

“Congress can terminate a declared emergency, but it requires a joint resolution – a high hurdle,” the news outlet noted. “House Democrats, now in power, would have to convince Senate Republicans…to join them in blocking Trump’s move. Then they would have to get a signature from the president, the same person who declared the emergency in the first place, or override his veto.”

The other means those opposed to the border barrier would likely take is to seek an injunction stopping construction, probably in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has shown the greatest willingness to oppose the president’s policies, particularly on issues related to immigration.

The Trump administration would then almost certainly have to engage in a lengthy court battle all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it may or may not get a favorable ruling.

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 2,000 articles for The Western Journal since he joined the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto is the senior staff writer for The Western Journal. He wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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