South African National on Terrorist Watchlist Arrested for Illegal Entry into the Country – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
4:06 PM – Wednesday, December 18, 2024
A South African national who had been released after illegally crossing the southern border was arrested in New York City for being a “positive match” on a terrorist watchlist.
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The individual, whose name has not been disclosed, was previously held in Texas for criminal trespass, but was released shortly thereafter, as reported by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens.
“A multi-agency operation led to the apprehension of a South African national suspected of terrorism in Brooklyn, NY. The individual was initially detained in Texas for criminal trespassing and subsequently released based on the available information,” Owens stated in a post on X.
“A further investigation indicated a positive match on the terrorist watch list, leading USBP agents and personnel at the National Targeting Center to take swift action. Thanks to coordinated efforts from various agencies, we successfully located and apprehended the suspect, who is now pending removal. #Bordersecurityisnationalsecurity,” he added.
As reported by Fox News, a Texas Department of Public Safety official confirmed that the illegal immigrant was initially detained near Eagle Pass in September before being handed over to federal border patrol agents, who later released him.
Federal statistics indicate a significant rise in the number of known or suspected terrorists trying to illegally cross the southern border during Biden’s administration due to perceived “open” and lenient border policies, thereby endangering the safety of Americans nationwide.
Despite ongoing complaints in recent years, the Biden administration has maintained that Border Patrol agents thoroughly screen all migrants taken into custody.
However, in this particular case, the South African national was released from custody in Texas without undergoing an FBI database check.
Furthermore, Border Patrol agents reported to news outlets like the New York Post that many countries, including those not classified as “third world,” often lack available data or criminal records on their citizens; such information is rarely shared with U.S. Border Patrol.
The South African man was later identified as a terror risk, prompting a multi-agency effort to apprehend him in Brooklyn, New York, to initiate the removal process.
“Thanks to the joint efforts of various agencies, we were able to locate, detain, and move forward with the removal of this potential threat,” Owens noted.
At this point, it remains unclear how the suspect arrived in New York City.
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