COMMITTEE UNVEILS REPORT ON STOPPING TERRORIST TRAVEL THROUGH ILLICIT PATHWAYS TO THE HOMELAND
COMMITTEE UNVEILS REPORT ON STOPPING TERRORIST TRAVEL THROUGH ILLICIT PATHWAYS TO THE HOMELAND
Washington D.C. – Since September 11th, 2001, national security officials have been laser focused on preventing terrorists and other nefarious actors who wish to bring harm from traveling to the United States. One particular group of migrants who are traveling to the homeland at a high volume are called Special Interest Aliens (SIAs). This report, conducted by the House Homeland Security Committee Majority Staff, offers solutions on how to best shut down entry ways utilized by SIAs, among others, to mitigate the various threats including terrorism.
Chairman McCaul: “Individuals who may pose a serious national security threat, known as Special Interest Aliens (SIAs), continue to cross our border. One such way is through the exploitation of illicit pathways throughout the Western Hemisphere. Since some of these migrants on the path to America have been identified as Known or Suspected Terrorists (KSTs), murderers and other criminals, closing these pathways must be a priority.
“This report explains how we can get that done. Based on initial findings, the House took action and passed legislation, including, the authorization of ICE’s Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP). Enacting this bill will make it easier for DHS to collect biometric data on SIA’s and others who may pose a danger to America and our partners around the world. The report also highlights other programs and concepts that are vital to better securing the homeland.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 116th Congress and the Trump Administration to implement all of the recommendations in this report.”
Key recommendations include:
Authorize Key Programs, an Office, and a New Authority:
ICE’s Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP)
CBP’s Immigration Advisory Program (IAP)
DHS’s Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM)
Provide DHS Repatriation Authority
Conduct Threat Analyses for:
U.S. Ports of Entry
U.S. Maritime Borders
Southwest U.S. Border
Strengthen Coordination and Cooperation:
Better support ICE’s Transnational Criminal Investigative Units (TCIUs)
Increase Interagency Coordination through a Western Hemisphere Task Force
Create an Inter-American Information Sharing System
https://republicans-homeland.house.gov/press/committee-unveils-report-on-stopping-terrorist-travel-through-illicit-pathways-to-the-homeland/