Terror Groups May Exploit U.S. Southern Border

Federal officials are sounding the alarm, warning that members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and Hezbollah could be attempting to cross the U.S. southern border. This exclusive information, obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation from an internal memo, highlights a significant concern regarding potential terrorist infiltration.

Alert from Federal Officials

The memo, sent by the San Diego Field Office Intelligence Division of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), expresses concerns about individuals linked to U.S.-designated terrorist organizations seeking to travel to or from the Middle East by transiting through the southern border. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has raised the possibility of terror-tied individuals utilizing this route.

The memo states, “San Diego Field Office Intelligence Unit assesses 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 also emphasizes that “foreign fighters motivated by ideology or mercenary soldiers of fortune may attempt to obfuscate travel to or from the US to or from countries in the Middle East through Mexico.”

The memo further lists the identifying patches of Hamas, PIJ, and Hezbollah.

Indicators and Precautions

Amid a record surge in illegal immigration at the southern border, Border Patrol has witnessed a significant increase in encounters with individuals whose names appear on the terror watchlist. The memo highlights the need for vigilance and provides indicators for federal border authorities to watch for.

Indicators include observing military-age males, individuals in military gear, lone travelers, and those with ties to the Middle East region. These factors should be taken into consideration when assessing potential threats.

Additionally, the memo presents a series of “questions of interest,” particularly those related to individuals’ personal or familial associations with terrorist organizations like “Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP),” or similar groups.

The memo serves as a critical advisory in a time of heightened security concerns, urging vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard the U.S. southern border.