Former Border Patrol Chief Accuses Biden-Harris Administration of Concealing Terrorist Encounters

Former San Diego Sector Border Patrol Chief Aaron Heitke has accused the Biden-Harris administration of hiding an increase in encounters with suspected terrorists at the U.S.-Mexico border. Heitke made this revelation during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing titled "A Country Without Borders: How Biden-Harris' Open-Borders Policies Have Undermined Our Safety and Security."

Administration Accused of Suppressing Information

Heitke claimed he was prevented from disclosing important data on the number of Special Interest Aliens (SIAs)—individuals with known or suspected links to terrorism—apprehended in California. He stated, “I was told I could not release any information on this increase in SIAs or mention any of the arrests. The administration was trying to convince the public there was no threat at the border.”

Sharp Increase in Arrests of Individuals with Terror Ties

According to Heitke, the number of individuals with links to terrorism arrested has surged under President Joe Biden’s administration. He revealed that before 2021, his sector had apprehended between 10 to 15 SIAs annually. By 2022, that number had risen to over 100, with even more recorded in 2023.

Concerns Over National Security

Heitke's testimony raises serious questions about national security. He also alleged that the Biden administration allowed some illegal border crossers to settle in local communities that were not prepared to handle the influx. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, who also testified, criticized the administration for passing the costs of transporting these individuals onto local taxpayers.

Administration's Border Policies Under Fire

The testimony paints a critical picture of the administration's border policies, which critics argue have left the U.S. vulnerable to dangerous threats. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, has been in the spotlight for its handling of the escalating crisis. However, CBP Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the administration’s actions in a recent interview, saying the changes were designed to address a years-long backlog in asylum hearings.

Increasing Pressure on the Biden Administration

As the number of terror-linked arrests continues to rise, many are questioning whether the administration's open-border policies have put the country at risk. With border apprehensions on the rise and the stakes higher than ever, the Biden administration faces increasing pressure to restore security and transparency at the southern border before it's too late.

Bottom Line

The accusations made by the former Border Patrol Chief are serious and demand attention. The safety and security of a nation are paramount, and any policy that potentially compromises these should be scrutinized. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you believe that the administration's policies have made the country more vulnerable to threats? Share this article with your friends and let's get a conversation going. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing which is delivered every day at 6pm.