According to the CBP, the number of migrants who entered the United States illegally and did not turn themselves in has reached an all-time high under President Biden. More than 1.6 million individuals classified as 'gotaways' have been recorded in the last three fiscal years alone, surpassing the combined figures from the Trump and Obama administrations. Additionally, over 365 individuals on the terror watch list have been apprehended while attempting to sneak into the country.
Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concerns about the effectiveness of border security measures in identifying and intercepting potential threats. He highlighted the challenges posed by the current open border policy, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the number of individuals who successfully evade detection.
During the Trump administration, 14 individuals on the FBI's terrorist watch list were intercepted while attempting to cross the border illegally, contributing to a significant reduction in unauthorized border crossings. In contrast, the Biden administration has faced a surge in border-related incidents, with hundreds of individuals on the watch list being identified among the 1.6 million 'gotaways' reported.
The lack of clarity regarding the extent of security breaches and the potential entry of individuals with malicious intent has raised alarm among policymakers and the public. The significant increase in border-related incidents during the current administration has underscored the need for enhanced border control measures to mitigate security risks and safeguard national interests.