 |
| Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., speaks during a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hybrid hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Susan Walsh, Pool |
A Republican lawmaker has issued a stark warning about the potential for a significant terrorist attack on U.S. soil if the Biden administration does not address the ongoing migrant crisis. Mark Green, Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, criticized President Biden for allowing individuals with "terrorist ties" and "major criminal connections" to move freely within the country.
House Republican warns 'only a matter of time before DEVASTATING terror attack' unless Biden admin tackles border crisis after arrest of six men with ISIS ties https://t.co/Ky1cteLxvY pic.twitter.com/AB70G0SriW
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) June 12, 2024
Green highlighted the increasing frequency of "bad actors exploiting our borders," describing it as a new norm under the current administration. He forewarned that it is "only a matter of time" before a terrorist attack occurs.
These statements follow the recent arrests of six Russian nationals, suspected of having ties to ISIS, in a coordinated operation by law enforcement in New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Anonymous officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed to the New York Post that intercepted communications included discussions about bombs, raising concerns about potential attacks reminiscent of 9/11 or the Boston Marathon bombing.
Green emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Almost weekly we are getting reports that someone with terrorist ties or other major criminal connections has been released into our country and allowed to roam free for months or even years." He added, "Such bad actors exploiting our borders used to be the exception—it's quickly becoming the rule under President Biden and now-impeached Secretary Mayorkas."
The arrested individuals, originally from Tajikistan and also holding Russian citizenship, entered the U.S. through the southern border last spring. Despite going through the government's screening process, no information flagged them as potential terrorism-related threats at the time. They are now detained on immigration violations and are under ICE custody, pending removal proceedings.
An ICE source disclosed that one of the suspects had been involved with law enforcement previously and had a scheduled court date next year. "Remember the Boston marathon [bombing]? I'm afraid something like that might happen again or worse," the source expressed.
The warning comes amid heightened alerts from top law enforcement officials about the increased threat of terrorist attacks in the U.S. in recent months. Attorney General Merrick Garland, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, admitted, "I am worried about the possibility of a terrorist attack in the country after October 7. The threat level for us has gone up enormously."
Garland underscored the daily efforts to monitor potential threats, asserting that this issue remains a major priority for the Justice Department. Similarly, FBI Director Christopher Wray informed the Senate that the threat from foreign terrorists has escalated significantly post the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack. "We have seen a rogues' gallery of foreign terrorist organizations call for attacks against Americans and our allies," Wray noted.
He emphasized the unprecedented level of threats currently facing U.S. public safety and national security. Wray also pointed out the acute rise in threats against Jewish Americans, stating that "religiously motivated hate crimes, close to 60 percent of them, are targeted at the Jewish community," which makes up only two percent of the U.S. population.
Wray warned about the potential for coordinated attacks within the U.S., referencing the March Crocus City Hall concert shooting in Russia as a concerning precedent. He also identified the U.S.-Mexico border as a potential entry point for these threats.
Post a Comment