U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) publicized the number of terrorism-related border encounters in the past fiscal years—for the first time since President Joe Biden took office. It came under mounting pressure from Republicans.
Such individuals, either known or “reasonably suspected” to be previously been involved in terrorism, are part of a federal terror watchlist identified in the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB). The Biden administration had previously refused to publicly reveal updates on TSDB encounters at the border, citing “law enforcement sensitive” concerns.
Although the recent statistical release doesn’t count those who evaded Border Patrol agents, the latest update indicates rising border encounters related to terrorist suspects.
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