WASHINGTON DC - FBI Director Christopher Wray, in a recent hearing with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, highlighted concerns regarding the escalation in potential threats against the U.S. Intelligence officials have observed a troubling trend: known or suspected terrorists exploiting the southern border by utilizing fake identification.
This trend underscores the broader challenges faced at the southern border, where law enforcement agencies are grappling not only with the influx of migrants but also with individuals seeking to evade detection and circumvent immigration protocols.
One significant obstacle faced by authorities is the verification of documents provided by migrants, which are often used for processing purposes before their release. Due to limited communication channels and established relationships with migrants' home countries, validating these documents becomes increasingly challenging. Consequently, these same documents are used for air travel within the country, exploiting perceived weaknesses in security measures.
Former Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Victor Avila has drawn attention to the concerning tactic of individuals infiltrating migrant groups, disguising their identities by assuming different nationalities and presenting fraudulent documents upon entry. This tactic poses significant challenges to border security and raises concerns about potential national security risks.
“They’re infiltrating us within these groups that are turning themselves in because a lot of them have been in Mexico for a while. They learned to speak Spanish. They shaved their beards. They look like possibly a Mexican national, a Central American, and they have fake documents,” former Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Victor Avila stated.
“So, they present these fake documents and enter with a different nationality. It just gives me chills to think of the national security implications that we’re facing and that we possibly will face in the near future,” continued Avila.
Furthermore, the absence of robust relationships with nearly 170 countries represented at the southern border exacerbates the difficulty in verifying migrants' identities. Many of these countries lack adequate databases, impeding efforts to accurately ascertain individuals' backgrounds and assess potential threats they may pose.
Despite heightened concerns, border agents face limitations in accessing comprehensive criminal databases when screening migrants. This limitation further complicates efforts to identify potential threats, as individuals without a criminal record in the U.S. or without being on a watchlist may evade detection.
In response to inquiries from lawmakers, Wray acknowledged the complexity of the situation, emphasizing the imperative for enhanced collaboration between the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to address gaps in border security effectively.
When questioned by Mississippi Rep. Trent Kelly, a Republican member of the select committee, Wray stated, "The bigger concern is a situation, for example, where somebody presents fake identification documents at the border and there's not biometrics to match up—so there's no way to be able to know that they're not who they say they are. Then, they get into the country; then somehow we find out that they're someone in fact who's on the list."
This trend underscores the broader challenges faced at the southern border, where law enforcement agencies are grappling not only with the influx of migrants but also with individuals seeking to evade detection and circumvent immigration protocols.
One significant obstacle faced by authorities is the verification of documents provided by migrants, which are often used for processing purposes before their release. Due to limited communication channels and established relationships with migrants' home countries, validating these documents becomes increasingly challenging. Consequently, these same documents are used for air travel within the country, exploiting perceived weaknesses in security measures.
Former Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Victor Avila has drawn attention to the concerning tactic of individuals infiltrating migrant groups, disguising their identities by assuming different nationalities and presenting fraudulent documents upon entry. This tactic poses significant challenges to border security and raises concerns about potential national security risks.
“They’re infiltrating us within these groups that are turning themselves in because a lot of them have been in Mexico for a while. They learned to speak Spanish. They shaved their beards. They look like possibly a Mexican national, a Central American, and they have fake documents,” former Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Victor Avila stated.
“So, they present these fake documents and enter with a different nationality. It just gives me chills to think of the national security implications that we’re facing and that we possibly will face in the near future,” continued Avila.
Furthermore, the absence of robust relationships with nearly 170 countries represented at the southern border exacerbates the difficulty in verifying migrants' identities. Many of these countries lack adequate databases, impeding efforts to accurately ascertain individuals' backgrounds and assess potential threats they may pose.
Despite heightened concerns, border agents face limitations in accessing comprehensive criminal databases when screening migrants. This limitation further complicates efforts to identify potential threats, as individuals without a criminal record in the U.S. or without being on a watchlist may evade detection.
In response to inquiries from lawmakers, Wray acknowledged the complexity of the situation, emphasizing the imperative for enhanced collaboration between the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to address gaps in border security effectively.
When questioned by Mississippi Rep. Trent Kelly, a Republican member of the select committee, Wray stated, "The bigger concern is a situation, for example, where somebody presents fake identification documents at the border and there's not biometrics to match up—so there's no way to be able to know that they're not who they say they are. Then, they get into the country; then somehow we find out that they're someone in fact who's on the list."
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Comments
2024-03-15T21:53-0700 | Comment by: Steve
Not right!!
2024-03-16T15:06-0700 | Comment by: Tom
We Americans can see what is happened to our borders and the millions of ILLIGELS entering our land on the red carpet welcome mat by biden and his administrations. We see our federal law enforcement agencies close a blind eye to all this illegal activity right in front of them. We also see the the lie all our federal law enforcement took when pledging the oath to protect and defend America from both foreign and domestic terriost. We are not stupid. We are AMERICANS and we will fight to the death to protect our Country. The fight you all have brought to our land. We don't need the fbi to warn us. We see it coming and we are ready.
2024-03-16T16:48-0700 | Comment by: CRAIG
“They’re infiltrating us within these groups that are turning themselves in because a lot of them have been in Mexico for a while. They learned to speak Spanish. They shaved their beards. They look like possibly a Mexican national, a Central American, and they have fake documents,” I am surprised that this statement hasn't been called out for its blatant racism. It is apparent to anyone that they are talking about Canadians. 😁
2024-03-17T03:16-0700 | Comment by: Karen
Don't you just love when the FBI tells us they're letting terrorists into the country. FJB
2024-03-17T06:33-0700 | Comment by: David
Just another smoke screen. Everyone knows that the REAL threat is those horrible Christian White Nationalists.
2024-03-17T07:07-0700 | Comment by: Joseph
How are the Biden administration and the Democrats going to blame President Trump or the Republican Party for this one as they opened the borders, tried to sue Texas for arresting and deporting defending their borders, stopped the border wall from being built, then aided undocumented people to enter the USA giving them thousands of taxpayer's money with court dates instead of detaining and deporting the bad ones! Terror is just part of the problem! Stay alert and safe everyone. Crime, and serious injury to all legal citizens from rape, murder, street crime, homelessness, drugs, prostitution, etc at American's expense! VOTE RESPONSIBLY and don't believe the mainstream media! RESEARCH for yourself.
2024-03-17T09:36-0700 | Comment by: Richard
Joe Biden could have prevented this. Now taxpaying real citizens are paying through the nose (More than $14 Billion dollars and rising, PER YEAR!! Our constitution has been ignored by the very people whose job it is according the the Constitution of the U.S. Joe BIdden and the Democrats are obviously anti-American and need to be disposed of ASAP!