The southern border has long been a topic of political discourse, but recent reports indicate a new cause for alarm: the involvement of an ISIS-connected individual in human smuggling operations. The FBI is investigating a network that has smuggled Uzbek migrants into the United States, underscoring the disastrous condition of our border security.
Border Patrol agents apprehended over a dozen Uzbek migrants who crossed from Mexico into the U.S. earlier this year. According to reports, these migrants were released by the Biden administration to pursue asylum claims. “There was no indication — and remains no indication — that any of the individuals facilitated by this network have a connection to a foreign terrorist organization or are engaged in plotting a terrorist attack in the United States,” said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson.
ISIS-Connected ‘Contractor’ Smuggled Uzbek Migrants Across Border into U.S. https://t.co/v4kpFwbKvY (The FBI is reportedly investigating a human smuggling network moving Uzbek migrants into the U.S. At least one smuggler is reportedly connected to ISIS.) 29AUG23
— Kimberly “Kim” Wexler, MA JD (@KimWexlerMAJD) August 29, 2023
However, it was later discovered that at least one smuggler in this network has connections to the ISIS terrorist organization. The individual is described as “more like an independent contractor” than a member of ISIS. The FBI is currently investigating, and more than 15 of the migrants are “still under scrutiny by the FBI as possible criminal threats,” according to an anonymous U.S. official.
Although no specific ISIS plot has been identified yet, the involvement of a person with ties to a terrorist organization raises questions about the safety measures in place. Is our screening process at the border effective enough to catch potential risks?
The situation is even more urgent given the recent uptick in the number of known or suspected terrorists caught at the border. According to a CBP report, agents apprehended 196 individuals appearing on the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database watch list during FY 2021, FY 2022, and Year-to-Date FY 2023. During the Trump administration, only 14 such migrants were caught from FY 2017 through FY 2020.
This information comes at a time when Republican presidential candidates are emphasizing border security in their campaigns. An urgent classified intelligence report about the situation was also circulated to Joe Biden’s top cabinet officials, sparking a series of meetings among national security and administration officials.
While it is true that the smuggler is considered an “independent contractor” and not acting on behalf of ISIS, and the migrants are described as “seeking a better life in the United States,” the connection to a terrorist organization cannot be brushed aside.
National Security Council spokesperson Watson told reporters that officials are working to “identify and assess” all migrants apprehended and released with a “Notice to Appear” for future court hearings. This is a step in the right direction, but the revelations suggest an immediate need for more stringent vetting procedures.
