Former U.S. security officials urge the Biden administration to address the absence of a national terrorism alert.
Pressure is increasing on the Biden administration to issue a national terrorism alert following the arrest of suspected ISIS-affiliated individuals crossing the border.
According to the New York Post, the last advisory from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was communicated on May 5, 2023, expiring in November of the same year.
Since then, numerous alarming episodes have transpired involving migrants from diverse origins, such as Tajikistan, Sudan, Mauritania, India, China, and Iran. Particularly problematic were the recent arrests of eight Tajikistan nationals associated with ISIS.
Mark Morgan, former acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, has publicly criticized the current administration's response to these threats. He emphasized that while the government was proactive in the past with threats related to election violence, it has been notably silent on issues of actual terrorism stemming from border security lapses.
Moreover, the accidental release of several migrants listed on the terrorism watchlist and the attempts by some to infiltrate U.S. military bases have compounded the fear of potential threats.
All these incidents reveal stark vulnerabilities at the border, a situation echoed by FBI Director Chris Wray, who has linked smuggling operations to ISIS-affiliated groups.
Earlier in April 2024, Director Wray underscored the heightened threat level within the United States, adding urgency to the criticisms regarding the administration's inaction. From 2021 to 2024, there was a significant uptick in the number of migrants apprehended with potential terror ties - 362 compared to just 11 in the previous three years.
The consistency of these incidents has led to strong remarks from national security experts. A former security official, Charles Marino, criticized the lack of updates to the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). Marino questioned whether the absence of such updates was due to political calculations with a presidential election on the horizon.
According to Charles Marino:
In light of FBI Director Wray’s recent appearances before Congress warning of the elevated threat level within the US, combined with far too many recent examples of known or suspected terrorists discovered within the country, why hasn’t an National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin been issued?
These issues highlight the U.S.'s broader challenges concerning border security and terrorism. Despite the direct links to potential terror activities, there has been no recent bulletin from DHS, which has not gone unnoticed among security professionals and the general public alike.
Critics argue that the failure to issue timely terror alerts undermines national security and exposes the public to unnecessary risks. They assert that the American people deserve transparency and proactive measures to safeguard against potential threats, especially given the recent involvement of terrorism-linked individuals in border crossings.
In conclusion, the Biden administration is urged to reconsider its stance on national terror alerts in light of recent arrests and the persistent threat posed by unregulated border crossings. The criticism from former DHS officials points to a need for immediate action to restore confidence in the nation's security measures and ensure the safety of its citizens.
