The Fairfax GOP is alarmed by the Biden administration’s failure to address the increasing incidents of illegal aliens attempting to infiltrate federal facilities. The recent breach at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, by two Jordanian nationals highlights this growing threat.
In early June, two Jordanian illegal aliens, posing as Amazon delivery drivers, tried to enter the Marine Corps base without proper credentials. When redirected for inspection, they attempted to force their way forward but were stopped by vehicle entry barriers. Both men were found to be in the country illegally, with one matching a profile on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist. One had crossed the border near San Diego in April 2024, and the other had overstayed his student visa.
Following this incident, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) and other congressional leaders demanded information from the FBI, DHS, and DOD. Green criticized DHS’s lax vetting standards, stating, “The Department of Homeland Security’s relaxed vetting standards have created an environment ripe for exploitation by individuals aiming to undermine the United States at its most critical points.”
This case is part of a troubling trend. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in December 2023 that national security threats are more elevated than ever. Despite these clear risks, the Biden administration continues to prioritize the privacy of illegal aliens over the safety of American citizens. In response to a FOIA request, the administration refused to release the nationalities of individuals on the terrorist watchlist.
The administration’s open-border policies have encouraged illegal crossings by individuals with potential terrorist ties. In the past three years, over 360 individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist have been apprehended, compared to just 14 in the previous four years. Between October 2021 and October 2023, over 70,000 Special Interest Aliens (SIAs) were encountered at the border, many from countries like Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, and Syria. Already in FY24, more than 50,000 SIAs have been intercepted.
Recent dangerous incidents involving illegal aliens include:
– A DHS report revealed that CBP released an illegal alien with terrorist ties into the U.S. in April 2022; ICE apprehended the individual nearly a month later.
– Uzbek migrants connected to an ISIS-linked smuggler were released into the country in early 2023.
– Afghani national Mohammad Kharwin, linked to an anti-Western insurgent group, was released into the U.S. twice before being detained by the FBI in 2024.
– A Chinese illegal alien attempted to breach the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in March 2024.
At a time when terrorism threats are rising, the U.S. is experiencing unprecedented levels of illegal immigration. The Biden administration’s ineffective border policies jeopardize national security. It is crucial for the administration to secure the borders and prevent dangerous individuals from entering the country.
The Fairfax GOP urges the Biden administration to prioritize national security and enforce immigration laws rigorously. The current approach to border security is inadequate and endangers American communities. Immediate action is necessary to safeguard our nation.
For more information on this developing story, please refer to the Federation for American Immigration Reform’s (FAIR) recent reports.