Rise in Criminal Convictions and Gang Arrests at the U.S.-Mexico Border

Well, folks, it’s time to buckle up and face the harsh reality of our southern border. While some would have you believe it’s all sunshine and roses, the numbers tell a different story. One that should make every patriotic American sit up and take notice. We’re not just talking about a few bad apples sneaking in; we’re looking at a full-blown orchard of trouble. So, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what’s really happening at our doorstep, shall we?

The Border Crisis: By the Numbers

The U.S.-Mexico border is facing an unprecedented crisis, with Border Patrol agents confirming the dire situation. In fiscal year 2023 alone, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested 35,433 illegal aliens with criminal convictions and 598 known gang members. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. More than 1.7 million known “gotaways” have been reported since the beginning of the Biden administration, with actual numbers potentially 20% higher.

The situation has become so severe that it’s forcing the closure of interior security checkpoints, hampering efforts to intercept drugs and criminal aliens. This operational impact is giving cartels free rein to smuggle their illicit goods and dangerous individuals into our communities.

99 illegals on the FBI terror watchlist released into the US.

Americans are less safe under Biden-Harris open border policies. https://t.co/WCZWZ43BlO

— Rep. Pat Fallon (@RepPatFallon) August 5, 2024

Terrorism Concerns on the Rise

Perhaps most alarming is the surge in encounters with individuals on the terrorist watchlist. Since the beginning of fiscal year 2021, 294 illegal aliens on the terrorist watchlist have been apprehended at the southern border. This represents a staggering 2,500% increase compared to the previous four fiscal years combined.

“Border security is national security, and right now, the border is not secure. When upwards of two million people have entered our country, whom we know nothing about, we are at deadly risk.” – Chairman Mark E. Green, MD

Adding to these concerns, reports indicate that the Biden administration has released at least 99 illegal immigrants whose identities matched the terrorism watch list into the U.S. These individuals were from 36 countries, including known terror hotspots like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

The Drug Crisis Intensifies

The border crisis isn’t just about illegal entry; it’s fueling a deadly drug epidemic. CBP reported seizing 27,293 pounds of fentanyl in fiscal year 2023, but experts estimate this represents only 5-10% of the total amount smuggled across the border. With over 100,000 Americans dying from drug overdoses in the past year, mostly due to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

“It’s time for Secretary Mayorkas to ask himself how many more families need to be torn apart by the criminal cartels taking advantage of his open-borders policies.” – Chairman Mark E. Green, MD

The situation at our southern border is not just a crisis; it’s a national emergency. The rise in criminal convictions, gang arrests, and potential terrorist entries poses a clear and present danger to American communities. It’s time for decisive action to secure our borders and protect our citizens from the multifaceted threats pouring across our southern frontier.