In September, officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) who were assigned to the “Operation Lone Star” Border Security Mission detained 36 migrants near the Rio Grande Border with Mexico in Normandy, Texas. According to the DPS, 15 of these illegal immigrants, hailing from Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and South Africa, were arrested for trespassing on private property.
The Border Patrol eventually released the South African after apprehending him.
According to a post on X.com, US Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens described the situation as all hell breaking loose.
“A multi-agency effort led to the arrest of a South African national and suspected terrorist in Brooklyn, NY. Initially detained in Texas for criminal trespassing and based on information available at the time, the individual was released. A further subsequent investigation revealed a positive match on the terrorist watchlist, prompting swift action by USBP agents and personnel at the National Targeting Center. Thanks to the coordination of multiple agencies, this potential threat was located, taken into custody, and is now pending removal. .” US Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens (December 17, 2024)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has allocated a staggering $11 billion for Border Security, expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the outcome that followed when his officers transferred a man to federal authorities, only to discover that he had been released without their knowledge despite being on the “terror watchlist”.
Governor Abbott wasted no time in responding to the turn of events, taking to x.com to express his thoughts on the matter.
Governor Abbott has been consistently expressing concerns about the illegal crossing of terror suspects across the border for more than a year.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has reported that “Special Interest Immigrants” (also known as “Special Interest Aliens” by the federal government) have been arrested for illegally crossing into the state multiple times this year.
“A (Special Interest Alien) is a non-U.S. person who, based on an analysis of travel patterns, potentially poses a national security risk to the United States or its interests. Often such individuals or groups (have) travel patterns known or evaluated to possibly have a nexus to terrorism.” –U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Last month, State Troopers made several arrests when they encountered a group of 154 migrants from nine different countries near Eagle Pass. In the group, six “Special Interest Migrants” from Afghanistan were also present and were subsequently handed over to federal authorities.
On October 20, 2024, the DPS encountered a group of migrants in Maverick County. Among them, the DPS discovered three Special Interest Immigrants from Iran and Guinea.
During the investigation, the authorities came across a group of individuals known as “Special Interest Migrants” from Iran. This discovery came shortly after the Texas Department of Public Safety encountered seven “Special Interest Immigrants” from Iran and Angola in the same county just a few days earlier.
The recent discovery of Iranian “Special Interest Migrants” crossing the border illegally this month is concerning due to Iran being one of the four countries designated by the U.S. as “State Sponsors of Terrorism.”
The United States and Iran severed diplomatic ties in 1980 after the American Embassy in Tehran was taken over in late 1979.
The recent “Homeland Threat Assessment” by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has raised concerns about the growing number of potential terrorists crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Individuals with potential terrorism connections continue to attempt to enter the Homeland. As of July, approximately 160 non-US persons in the TSDS attempted to enter the United States via the southern border this year.” U.S. DHS “Homeland Threat Assessment 2024”
Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn raised concerns about the situation at the U.S. border with Mexico in a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The discovery of numerous Special Interest Aliens prompted them to sound the alarm about this issue.
“Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data indicates that thousands of “Special Interest Aliens” from countries including those in the Middle East have been arrested at the southern border just over the past twenty-four months.” –Texas Senators Ted Cruz & John Cornyn (November 16, 2023)
The two Texas Senators didn’t mince words when expressing their concerns about the risks associated with the influx of Special Interest Aliens crossing the border – and the expectations they had for the Homeland Security Secretary.
“Your failure to secure the southern border undoubtedly makes our nation less safe. It is imperative that you reverse this reckless course and ramp up interior enforcement of federal immigration law.” –Texas Senators Ted Cruz & John Cornyn (November 16, 2023)
Recently, the Texas Department of Public Safety has released arrest reports that highlight the ongoing issue of “Special Interest Aliens” crossing the Southern Border illegally. This serves as evidence that these individuals are still finding ways to enter the country without proper documentation.
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