Open US borders increase risk of terrorist attacks by Russian migrants
Throughout the terrorism case against Murat Kurashev, a Russian national, from his 2021 indictment to his 2024 sentencing, no mention was made in any government press release or media report of a crucial fact that would concern the American public. This fact was that Kurashev, a 37-year-old father of three from the Kabardino-Balkaria region of Russia, entered the United States illegally by crossing the Southwest Border from Mexico with his family.
The Kurashev case, which involved him sending money to Syria for weapons and posing a credible terrorism threat himself, highlights the fears surrounding open borders. It raises concerns about unvetted individuals taking advantage of the system, with the potential for many more like him evading detection.
Kurashev crossed the border on December 19, 2018, during a surge of foreign national families exploiting a legal loophole that allowed for quick release of parents with children on asylum claims. Despite being suspected as an Islamic extremist fleeing interrogations in Russia, he was released into the interior by US Border Patrol.
After his crossing, Kurashev sent funds to the US-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the al-Nusra Front) to support their activities in Syria. He pleaded guilty in January 2024 and received a 12-year prison sentence.
The case brings attention to the potential risks of radical believers crossing the border undetected. US government protocols that once required detention and security checks for immigrants from certain countries have been challenged by the overwhelming number of crossings under the Biden administration.
Warnings from intelligence agencies and former homeland security officials emphasize the increased risk of Islamic terrorist infiltration and attacks due to the current border situation. The administration’s Department of Homeland Security has highlighted the threat of individuals with terrorism connections attempting to enter the US illegally via the southern border.
The question remains: How many individuals like Kurashev are among the millions who have crossed the border in recent years?
Todd Bensman is a senior national security fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies.
