Republicans are expressing outrage at the Biden administration’s refusal to disclose information regarding individuals on the terror watchlist encountered at the southern border. Officials cited privacy concerns as the reason for denying a Freedom of Information Act request from Fox News seeking the nationalities of suspects on the FBI’s terror watchlist who were arrested at the border by Border Patrol between ports of entry. The Terrorist Screening Dataset contains sensitive information on terrorist identities, including known or suspected terrorists and individuals posing a potential threat to the United States. Despite acknowledging that the information is maintained in the dataset, CBP refused to provide it, citing privacy exemptions and the need to balance the public’s right to know with individual privacy rights.
The response from CBP immediately drew criticism from Republicans, who accused the administration of prioritizing the privacy of potential national security threats over the American people’s right to know where these individuals are coming from. Rep. Darrell Issa of California emphasized the importance of retaining data on the number and nationalities of individuals who have entered and remain in the United States. He called on DHS and CBP to share this critical information with him as a Member of Congress and with the public as required by the FOIA. Similarly, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who had previously requested a briefing on the matter, renewed his request for information on the nationalities of individuals on the terror watchlist encountered at the border.
Sen. Ted Cruz questioned what the Biden administration and Democrats were hiding by refusing to reveal the nationalities of individuals on the terror watchlist encountered at the southern border. He expressed concern that the list of countries these individuals came from could be damning, leading to speculation about the potential national security risks posed by illegal immigration. The number of encounters between ports of entry by Border Patrol involving individuals on the Terrorist Screening Dataset has increased this year, sparking fears about the potential threats these individuals may pose. The administration’s decision to withhold this information has fueled Republican concerns about transparency and national security.
Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee denounced the DHS’s decision to prioritize the privacy of potential national security threats over the public’s right to know about the nationalities of individuals on the terror watchlist entering the United States. They criticized the administration for refusing to disclose this critical information and called for transparency in sharing data on individuals who may pose a threat to national security. Rep. Darrell Issa and Rep. Chip Roy both reiterated their requests for information on the nationalities of individuals on the terror watchlist encountered at the border, emphasizing the need for transparency in dealing with potential security risks associated with illegal immigration. The administration’s refusal to provide this information has sparked renewed calls for openness and accountability in addressing national security concerns at the southern border.
Overall, the Biden administration’s decision to withhold information about the nationalities of individuals on the terror watchlist encountered at the southern border has triggered a backlash from Republicans who are demanding transparency and accountability in addressing national security risks associated with illegal immigration. Concerns have been raised about the administration’s prioritization of individual privacy rights over the public’s right to know about potential national security threats. The increased number of encounters involving individuals on the terror watchlist has raised fears about the potential risks posed by illegal immigration and highlighted the need for greater transparency in addressing these security concerns. Republicans continue to push for disclosure of this critical information in order to protect national security and ensure the safety of the American people.
