In a recent statement, US Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens highlighted the escalating migrant crisis as a significant “national security threat,” pointing out the potential for terrorists to infiltrate the United States and the control smugglers exert over the migration flow into the country. Owens expressed concern in a CBS’ “Face the Nation” interview, emphasizing that smugglers are essentially setting the terms of engagement, dictating the migration flow while the Border Patrol attempts to counteract their strategies. Despite efforts to control the situation, the vast 1,900-mile US-Mexico border presents a formidable challenge.
The Biden administration has witnessed unprecedented levels of migrants crossing the southern border, with many seeking asylum and subsequently being released into the US. Recent figures from the Border Patrol reveal a staggering 1,151,448 encounters at the southern border in the current fiscal year, a significant number following the previous year’s 2,475,669 encounters.
Owens voiced his concerns over the possibility of terrorists and other dangerous individuals slipping through the cracks. He highlighted the alarming figure of 140,000 “known got-aways,” individuals detected but not apprehended, underscoring the gravity of the national security threat posed by unmonitored entry into the country. Owens stressed the importance of border security as a critical component of national security, emphasizing the vulnerability exploited by those entering the US without proper vetting.
While acknowledging that many migrants are fleeing dire economic conditions and are not inherently malicious, Owens pointed out the presence of dangerous individuals among them, including convicted sexual predators and gang members. This fiscal year has seen migrants from over 160 countries, attributed to the operations of various smuggling organizations, indicating the global scale of the issue.
As the presidential election approaches, border security remains a contentious issue among voters. President Joe Biden has criticized Republicans for obstructing a bipartisan border reform deal in the Senate, aiming to address the crisis more effectively. Owens advocates for stricter penalties for offenders, including jail time, deportation, and a ban on re-entry for those who choose illegal pathways over lawful ones, as a measure to mitigate the crisis.