Fence separating United States and Mexico - Photo by Getty Images
WASHINGTON DC (WSAU) – The San Diego Field Office Intelligence Division of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a report over the weekend stating they believe Hamas-linked terrorists are currently in the U.S.
The report, which was obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation, was sent on October 20 by the San Diego Field Office as the conflict between Israel and Hamas raged on and pro-Hamas demonstrations expanded across the globe.
“San Diego Field Office Intelligence Unit assesses that individuals inspired by, or reacting to the current Israel-Hamas conflict may attempt travel to or from the area of hostilities in the Middle East via circuitous transit across the Southwest border,” the report read.
The letter alerts law enforcement to potential signs, such as men of military age, military equipment, lone traveling, and ties to areas with high rates of terrorist organization affiliation.
A list of “questions of interest” regarding a person’s ties to “Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), or other affiliated organizations” is also included in the report.
“Foreign fighters motivated by ideology or mercenary soldiers of fortune may attempt to obfuscate travel to or from the US to or from countries in the Middle East through Mexico,” the report continued.
172 individuals on the terror watchlist have been apprehended by US Customs and Border Protection in the 2023 fiscal year so far while attempting to cross the north and south borders illegally. 564 interactions with people on the terror watchlist were noted in total at entrance points at both borders, according to the DHS.
This is an increase from 2022 when 380 persons on the watchlist were found at entry points and 98 were found crossing unlawfully.
This report comes after the US State Department issued a “worldwide caution” advisory for US citizens traveling abroad last week amid rising tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict. The advisory warns U.S. citizens to “exercise increased caution” because of “the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”
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