Federal officials have warned that individuals associated with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and Hezbollah may be attempting to enter the United States through the Mexico border. This information was revealed in an internal memo obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The memo, dated Oct. 20, states 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." It raises concerns about "foreign fighters motivated by ideology or mercenary soldiers of fortune" who may try to disguise their travel routes through Mexico to or from Middle Eastern countries. The insignias of Hamas, PIJ, and Hezbollah are highlighted as points of interest for U.S. officials.
The memo also provides a list of "questions of interest" that federal agents can use to identify individuals who may be affiliated with these groups, as well as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and similar organizations.
This warning comes at a time when attention on the U.S.-Mexico border is already heightened. Official data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows that in September 2023 alone, there were 218,763 encounters at southwestern ports of entry. In addition, there has been a significant increase in the number of rescues conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol. In September, 4,633 rescues were carried out, bringing the total number of rescues for fiscal year 2023 to 37,323 as of the end of September. This marks a 44% increase compared to August and a 67% increase compared to July.
The memo serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in securing the U.S. border and preventing potential threats from entering the country. Federal officials will need to remain vigilant in their efforts to detect and apprehend individuals who may pose a risk to national security.
