FBI Director Wray says border gotaways a source of ‘great concern’ for agency – Yahoo News
FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday said that the number of illegal immigrants evading Border Patrol agents and escaping into the country is a source of "great concern" for the agency, as he told lawmakers that threats from the other side of the border are "consuming" FBI field offices.
Wray testified to lawmakers on the House Homeland Security Committee about "worldwide threats" to the U.S. Chairman Mark Green asked Wray about the numbers of gotaways illegal immigrants at the border who evaded Border Patrol which have exceeded 600,000 in FY 23. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources tell Fox News there have been over 47,000 gotaways since the beginning of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.
Green said the number of gotaways since the beginning of the Biden administration could be well over two million.
HOUSE HOMELAND CHAIR GREEN TO WARN US IS AT ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES' IN HISTORY DURING THREAT HEARING
"Can the FBI guarantee American people that known or suspected terrorists, including any from Hamas or other terror groups, are not amongst those gotaways?" he asked.
"Well, certainly the group of people that you're talking about are source of great concern for us. That's why we're aggressively using all 56 of our joint terrorism task forces," Wray said.
READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP
He later said that "any time you have a group of people in the United States that we don't know nearly enough about, that is a source of concern for us from a perspective in our lane of protecting Americans."
Wray testified that there has been an increase in the number of known or suspected terrorists attempting to cross the border in the last five years the number of those encountered on the terror watchlist hit record numbers in FY 23.
Wray said he couldnt speak to why that is, but added "the threats that come from the other side of the border are very much consuming all 56 of our field offices, not just in the border states."
FBI DIRECTOR WRAY WARNS TERROR THREAT TO AMERICANS AT 'WHOLE OTHER LEVEL' AMID HAMAS-ISRAEL CONFLICT
The testimony comes amid renewed concern, particularly from Republicans but also from within the Biden administration, about the potential for terrorists to use the border to gain access to the United States, particularly as Border Patrol agents are dealing with record migrant numbers.
There were over 249,000 migrant encounters in October alone, after an FY 23 which broke records for migrant encounters. Republicans have pinned the blame on the Biden administration for its policies, while the administration says it needs immigration reform and more funding to address a "broken" immigration system.
Those concerns about terrorism have been renewed in the wake of the Hamas terror attack on Israel. Green told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the U.S. is at "heightened risk," and said the "open door policy" at the border is largely to blame.
Wray has previously told lawmakers in the Senate that the threat of a terror attack against Americans has been raised to a "whole other level" due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He said the most immediate concern includes homegrown violent extremists who are inspired by foreign terrorist organizations, or by domestic violent extremists who are targeting Muslim or Jewish targets.
A CBP memo warned fighters from Hamas, Hezbollah and other groups may seek entry into the U.S., although the agency said last month it has had no indication of fighters attempting to enter the U.S.
"CBP has seen no indication of Hamas-directed foreign fighters seeking to make entry into the United States," a CBP spokesperson said at the time.
The Department of Homeland Securitys FY 24 threat assessment warned that agents have encountered a growing number on the watch list and warned that "terrorists and criminal actors may exploit the elevated flow and increasingly complex security environment to enter the United States."
"Individuals with terrorism connections are interested in using established travel routes and permissive environments to facilitate access to the United States," the assessment also said.
However, the agency has also stressed that it works "tirelessly to screen, vet, and prevent anyone who poses a threat from entering the country" and that encounters of known or suspected terrorists are rare with watchlist encounters also including those associated with known or suspected terrorists, including relatives.
"Our border security efforts include biometric and biographic screening and vetting," a DHS official said. "CBP screens and vets every individual encountered, and if an individual is determined to pose a potential threat to national security or public safety, in coordination with the Joint Terrorism Taskforce (JTTF), we either deny admission, detain, remove, or refer them to other federal agencies for further vetting and prosecution as appropriate. "
Fox News' Aubrie Spady and Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.
Original article source: FBI Director Wray says border gotaways a source of 'great concern' for agency
Originally posted here:
FBI Director Wray says border gotaways a source of 'great concern' for agency - Yahoo News
- CER Podcast: Unpacking Europe: Immigration reform in the UK - Centre for European Reform - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Condemns ICE Raid on Local Business, Calls for Humane Immigration Reform - wehotimes.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- A Path Forward on Immigration Reform That Strengthens America - GV Wire - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Weighing in on Trump's promise of immigration reform - Hortidaily - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Immigration Reform for Meat Processors and More Ag Input for MAHA - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Changes Proposed by the Governments White Paper on Immigration Reform | White Paper - Freeths - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Border congressman: Arresting criminal aliens is the first step in immigration reform - Dallas News - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Jose Antonio Vargas on What We Get Wrong About Immigration Reform - American Civil Liberties Union - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- This situation is not worthy of a great nation: Los Angeles archbishop calls for immigration reform - CatholicVote org - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Arnold Schwarzenegger Blames Both Parties, Lack Of Immigration Reform For ICE Raids - The Daily Wire - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Not going to stop: Immigration Reform group meets in Fresno - yourcentralvalley.com - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- State Representative Kasey Carpenter on Immigration Reform - Georgia Public Broadcasting - May 30th, 2025 [May 30th, 2025]
- Trump can go down in history by pushing immigration reform | Opinion - Fresno Bee - May 30th, 2025 [May 30th, 2025]
- Bishop urges government to reconsider immigration reform - The Tablet - May 30th, 2025 [May 30th, 2025]
- Whatever Happened to Bipartisan Immigration Reform? - Newsweek - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- UK Immigration Reform 2025: Key Changes and Business Impacts - Watson Farley & Williams - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV Raises Hopes for Immigration Reform in Arizona - Hoodline - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- UK: Government publishes proposal for major immigration reform Work ban forcing some female asylum applicants into sex work New evidence of violence... - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- UK Immigration Reform deeper restrictions on the horizon - Charles Russell Speechlys - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Argentina's immigration reform to be discussed at Mercosur meeting - H2FOZ - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK party is riding high in the polls - IslanderNews.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Thailand Immigration Reform Planned as Bangkok Proposes New Interior Ministry Department to Reshape Policy for Travelers, Expats, Refugees - Travel... - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Critical Point: Industry Works Toward Immigration Reform - Thoroughbred Daily News - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Horse Racing Industry Urges Action On Immigration Reform To Address Labor Shortages - Paulick Report - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- We Needed a New President, Not Comprehensive Immigration Reform - The Daily Signal - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- May Day marches across U.S. demand workers rights, immigration reform, and economic justice - AP News - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Canada Takes Bold Steps Towards Immigration Reform By Setting New Caps For Permanent And Temporary Residents And Introducing Changes That Will... - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Failure on immigration reform comes at a high cost for Texas, San Antonio - San Antonio Express-News - March 25th, 2025 [March 25th, 2025]
- DHS closes office that advocated for migrants calling it a roadblock to immigration reform - The Independent - March 25th, 2025 [March 25th, 2025]
- Construction industry braces for higher costs due to tariffs and immigration reform - KGW.com - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Democrats aim to reverse Floridas illegal immigration reform with new legislation - WFLA - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Callously deporting longtime U.S. residents is yet another failure of Trumps immigration reform efforts | Editorial - The Philadelphia Inquirer - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Who Is Jeanette Vizguerra? ICE Arrests Immigration Reform Activist And Undocumented Mother - Times Now - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Demonstrators gather in south Omaha to protest immigration reform - Nebraska News Service - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Catholic Bishops Along the US-Mexico Border Advocate for Immigration Reform - Mwakilishi.com - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- Letter: Comprehensive immigration reform is needed - Quad-City Times - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Media Advisory: FAIR, Sheriffs and State Legislators to Hold D.C. Press Conference Urging Border Security Funding and Immigration Reform - PR Newswire - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Letter to the Editor: Immigration Reform Would Benefit Wisconsin Farmers - Exponent - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- OK, No Immigration Reform (But Lets Use The Laws Already On The Books) - A Groundbreaking Examination of U.S. Immigration Policies by Veteran Lawyer... - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- Legislators Analise Ortiz, Katherine Maranda and Casar Aguilar call for immigration reform - Yahoo - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Its well past time for U.S. immigration reform (again) - Angelus News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Protestors take to the streets to call for immigration reform in Los Angeles - uscannenbergmedia.com - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- Archbishop Prez on the Need for Balanced, Compassionate, and Comprehensive Immigration Reform - CatholicPhilly.com - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Bishops across US defend migrants, calling for immigration reform in justice and mercy - Our Sunday Visitor - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Project Red Card aims to ease concerns over Trump immigration reform in Latino communities - WCNC.com - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Power to the people: governor, legislators want voters to weigh in on immigration reform - Central Florida Public Media (previously WMFE) - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Florida lawmakers file extensive immigration reform bills ahead of special session - WJXT News4JAX - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Executive Orders Are a Good Start, But We Need Lasting Immigration Reform. Here's Where to Start | Opinion - Newsweek - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Project Red Cards aims to ease concerns over Trump immigration reform in Latino communities - WCNC.com - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- David Reel: Addressing border security and immigration reform - Broad + Liberty - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- NMPF hoping for caution on immigration reform - Agri-News - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- DOJ Letter Bolsters Drummond Appeal of Injunction Against State Immigration Reform Law - Ponca City Now - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Emotional Selena Gomez breaks down in tears, vows to support immigration reform amid deportation policies - AS USA - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- 'El Norte' Director Says His 1983 Sundance Classic on Immigration Reform Is 'More Relevant Today' | Video - TheWrap - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Chicago mayor reiterates opposition to incoming Trump admin's immigration reform - Fox News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Mann eager for immigration reform tied to border security, deportation, work permits - Kansas Reflector - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Rockford groups advocate for immigration reform ahead of Trump Administration - WREX.com - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Peoples March brings hundreds to Center City calling for abortion rights, immigration reform, and more - Billy Penn - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Jesuit Conference Office of Justice and Ecology Calls for Just and Humane Immigration Reform - Jesuits.org - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Idaho Sheriffs' Association calls for immigration reform and enforcement action - Idaho News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Rep. Adam Gray looking forward to working with Trump on immigration reform - KTXL FOX 40 Sacramento - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Changing minds on immigration reform means changing voters priorities, not just their positions - LSE - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- USCCB issues Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform - Diocese of Raleigh - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- NWRA commentary: Comprehensive immigration reform could be legacy defining moment for the second Trump administration - Waste Today Magazine - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- An Immigration Reform Agenda for the 119th Congress - Federation for American Immigration Reform - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Immigration reform must end funding of states with sanctuary cities - Waterbury Republican American - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- YORK: Written off for dead, immigration reform could still live - The Albany Herald - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Floridas Impressive Effort to Stop Illegal Immigration Still Has One Item to Fix - Federation for American Immigration Reform - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Letter to the Editor | Trump's promised immigration reform won't happen - The Daily News - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Trump makes picks that he thinks will help his immigration reform plans - KENS5.com - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Hirono co-introduces immigration reform bill - Spectrum News - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- OPINION: Beyond walls and raids: A case for humane immigration reform - The Nevada Independent - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- OPINIONS: Redefining the American Dream: Why Immigration Reform Cant Wait - The Proxy Report - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- With control of White House and Congress, will Republicans pass immigration reform, repeal Obamacare? - Northeastern University - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- ImmigrationProf Blog: Immigration Article of the Day: What Congress Needs to Break the Immigration Reform Stalemate by Maryam Stevenson - Law... - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- US Catholic Bishops Call for Immigration Reform Emphasizing Fairness and Humanity - Mwakilishi.com - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Urgent immigration reform needed to protect migrant workers in the care sector, Work Rights Centre says - Electronic Immigration Network - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Tariffs, tax cuts, and immigration reform: Trump's blueprint for second term - The Business Standard - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- With Immigration Reform on the Table, Advocates Put Human Face on Califs Migrant Farmworkers - San Diego Voice and Viewpoint - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- WHAT DID THE CANDIDATES SAY: Immigration reform on the City College Community Agenda, November 2024 - City Times - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]