A significant group of illegal immigrants was recently discovered in Texas near the southern border, with some individuals coming from Iran and Africa, according to authorities. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that a drone captured video footage showing 134 migrants in Maverick County on Thursday, which is situated on the Texas-Mexico border. Among the group were 32 unaccompanied children and minors, as well as seven special interest immigrants from Iran and Angola. Special interest immigrants are individuals who could potentially pose a national security risk to the United States.
The designation of special interest immigrants is based on the travel and behavior patterns of these individuals, which could indicate a possible connection to nefarious activities such as terrorism, as stated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Earlier this month, numerous illegal immigrants from countries with known terrorist activity were apprehended at the southern border in Texas, with some individuals originating from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, and India.
DPS Director Steven McCraw emphasized the concerns raised by Governor Abbott and the state of Texas regarding the illegal crossings by individuals from regions known for terrorist activity. McCraw stated that these individuals are not seeking asylum but are attempting to enter the United States undetected, potentially with harmful intentions.
The DHS released its annual threat assessment recently, warning about migrants with ties to terrorism. The assessment highlighted the expectation that over the next year, individuals with connections to terrorism and criminal actors will continue exploiting migration flows and the complexities of border security to enter the United States.
The assessment also pointed out that individuals with potential terrorism connections persist in their efforts to enter the United States through both the US-Mexico and US-Canada borders, as well as through the immigration system.
The discovery of this significant group of illegal immigrants near the Texas border underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in securing the border and preventing individuals with malicious intent from entering the country undetected. The presence of individuals from regions linked to terrorist activities raises concerns about national security and underscores the importance of robust border security measures to protect the country from potential threats.
