WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green (R-TN), House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH), and Rep. French Hill (R-AR) released the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee released a report that showed nearly 100 individuals on the terrorist watchlist were released into the United States after crossing our Southwest border. 

“It’s unacceptable that the Biden-Harris Administration has left our southern border open and that they don’t know who is coming into our country or where they are once here – including potential terrorists. 

“We recently sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to look into the process of identifying which terrorist watchlist individuals are trying to come into our country and where they are once released. The FBI and DHS have yet to answer these most basic questions. 

“Since the Biden-Harris Administration’s failed open border policies have welcomed potential terrorists into our nation, we’re working to combat these threats and safeguard Americans in their own backyards. The FBI and DHS must answer our requests.”

Background:

Chairman Green and Turner and Rep. Hill sent a letter to the GAO on April 30, 2024, to investigate the process of finding terrorist watchlist individuals entering the United States and identify where they are after they are released into our country. This letter was sent as a next step following the lawmakers’ prior efforts in pressing for answers because of the lack of responsiveness from FBI Director Christopher Wray and Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas.

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