In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the alarming rise in illegal migration to the United States and its implications for national security. Experts provided insights into the connections between individuals on the terror watch list and special interest aliens entering the country illegally, highlighting a significant increase in these trends.

The meeting underscored the national security risks associated with this surge in illegal immigration, particularly the potential for increased threats within U.S. borders. Officials expressed concerns that the current administration's policies have exacerbated these vulnerabilities, leading to what they described as a \"self-inflicted border crisis.\"

Since fiscal year 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported apprehending 382 individuals on the terror watch list attempting to cross the southwest border. However, estimates suggest that over 2,000 such individuals may have successfully entered the country. Furthermore, between fiscal years 2021 and 2023, at least 99 individuals on the watch list were reportedly released into the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The meeting also revealed that DHS has identified over 400 illegal aliens from Central Asian countries who entered the U.S. through an ISIS-affiliated human smuggling network. Officials criticized the DHS for allegedly obstructing inquiries into these matters, stating that much of the data has been sourced from open media rather than official channels.

The discussions concluded with a call for legislative and policy measures aimed at strengthening border security and addressing these pressing national security concerns. The committee emphasized its commitment to fulfilling oversight responsibilities and remedying perceived failures within the DHS.