Miller, Kelly, Zinke Introduce Resolution Addressing the Rise of Terror Watchlist Suspects Crossing the Northern Border

October 16, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT) in introducing a resolution urging Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to address the increasing number of suspects on The Terrorist Screening Dataset (TSDS) – also known as the “watchlist”, crossing the Northern border into the United States.

Click here for resolution text.

“Terrorists are taking advantage of Joe Biden’s open northern and southern border policies. Since President Biden took office, there have been over 1.5 million known getaways at the southern border and many of the suspected terrorists in the United States have come through the northern border. That is unacceptable and every community is suffering the from consequences of having an open border. With the crises around the world, America cannot afford to be soft on our border policies. Our northern border must be fortified,” said Congresswoman Miller.

"At a time of increased global uncertainty, we must take every measure necessary to secure our country. That includes our Northern border, which is greatly unsecured and overexposed," Rep. Kelly said. "The majority of suspected terrorists caught this year have crossed between the U.S. and Canada, which is the longest continuous border between two countries in the entire world. I'm calling on Secretary Mayorkas to recognize the unique crisis along the Northern border and to work with Congress to solve this problem that gravely threatens our entire nation."

"The first thing bad guys do is go where the good guys aren’t. Right now, all our good guys are dealing with Biden’s crisis on the Southwest border leaving the north unprotected and vulnerable to criminals, cartels, and terrorists," Rep. Zinke said. "In the wake of tragedy the world is experiencing in the Middle East, it is imperative we look in every direction and lock it down so Americans stay as safe as possible – that includes the North where Mayorkas is failing."

Joining Representatives Miller, Kelly, and Zinke in co-sponsoring the resolution are Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), and John Moolenaar (R-MI).

Background:

In the Fiscal Year of 2023, 85% of suspected terrorists have been flagged by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for attempted entry into the United States through the Northern border. The number has increased from just 34% in Fiscal Year 2021
Of the 505 individuals encountered at ports that are on the terror watchlist, 429 have occurred at the Northern border. Since President Biden took office, there has been an increase by 20,043% of northern border encounters, which marks more terror watchlist encounters in FY 2023 than in 2020, 2021, and 2022 combined.
As of August 2023, 55% of illegal drug seizures have come across the Northern border.

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