The New York Post recently reported on a disturbing incident involving a Lebanese immigrant apprehended at the El Paso-Juarez border. Basel Bassel Ebbadi, 22, admitted to authorities that he was a member of the terrorist group Hezbollah and had intentions to construct a bomb in New York.
What’s alarming is that Ebbadi voluntarily confessed to medical personnel at the border, without any coercion from US government agents.
This incident sheds light on the concerning reality of lax border security measures, particularly in light of the surge in illegal immigration orchestrated by the current administration.
Despite the existence of well-established counterterrorism programs at the border, which had proven effective in apprehending suspected terrorists post-9/11, these efforts have faltered under the strain of the recent influx of illegal immigrants.
Biden (Credits: CNN)
This issue has been repeatedly highlighted, including in testimonies before Congress and warnings from FBI Director Christopher Wray regarding the serious threats emanating from the Southwest border.
The Biden administration is fully aware of these security concerns. The Homeland Threat Assessment for 2024 explicitly acknowledges the risk of terrorists exploiting the porous border to enter the United States.
It is reported that in fiscal year 2023 alone, 160 terror suspects were detained while attempting to cross the southern border. Of particular concern is the potential involvement of state actors like Iran, which continues to sponsor terrorism and plot against individuals within the United States.
Despite these known risks, there have been alarming incidents where individuals on terrorist watchlists were either released or lost track of after apprehension at the border.
Border Patrol Agent (Credits: CNN)
Instances include the accidental release of a Lebanon-born Venezuelan on the watchlist, the release of a watch-listed Somali member of the al-Shabaab terrorist group, and the case of a watchlisted Yemeni caught in Mexico.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for more robust border security measures to safeguard the homeland against terrorist threats.
The Biden administration’s failure to address these vulnerabilities poses a significant risk to national security. The lax enforcement of border security measures is akin to playing with fire, putting the safety and well-being of Americans at risk.
Concrete steps must be taken to fortify border security and prevent potential terrorists from exploiting vulnerabilities in the system.
