I wanted to provide an important update on the current situation at our border, which has become increasingly concerning over the past week.
Since President Biden announced an executive order intended to curb illegal immigration, we have unfortunately witnessed the opposite effect. The number of individuals crossing into San Diego has remained the same, with hundreds of people being released at the Iris Ave Transit Station daily.
One significant factor contributing to this increase is a leaked memo from the Department of Homeland Security. This memo directed Border Patrol Agents in the San Diego sector to process all single adults from over 100 eastern hemisphere countries under a "Notice to Appear" status. This means they are released into the country with an asylum court hearing scheduled years in the future.
Only six countries are excluded from this directive: Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Georgia, Moldova, and Kyrgyzstan. Despite assurances of consequences and removal for illegal border crossers, the majority in the San Diego sector are still being released with future court dates.
We are averaging about 2,000 encounters daily, with approximately 400 people released onto the streets everyday. One of my primary concerns is the minimal background checks conducted on those entering illegally.
A troubling new report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General reveals:
- DHS has been ineffective in screening non-citizens and asylum seekers.
- CBP lacks access to all necessary federal data for comprehensive screening and vetting.
- "DHS will remain at risk of admitting dangerous persons into the country or enabling asylum seekers who may pose significant threats to public safety and national security to continue to reside in the United States," until these issues are resolved.
This report was released the same week that six Russian nationals suspected of having ties to ISIS were arrested in a coordinated ICE operation spanning Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia. This group, from Tajikistan, included at least one individual who entered through the San Ysidro border crossing.
It is deeply troubling to know that terrorists have managed to enter San Diego. This fiscal year alone, at least 80 individuals on the terror watchlist have been encountered at the Southern Border, and these are just the ones we are aware of.
We must secure our border to ensure the safety and security of our nation. I urge you to join me in calling on our Federal Representatives to immediately secure our border. I will continue to be vocal and shine light on this issue until action is taken to secure our border.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.