U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published the most recent data this past weekend revealing the horrifying amount of literal terrorists that have been apprehended at our borders in fiscal 2023 alone. In the last two weeks of September, an additional 77 known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) were caught, bringing the total number apprehended in fiscal 2023, which ended September 30, an astounding 736.
Many have been overwhelmed by the crisis at the southern border with Mexico, but the KST statistics are shocking: 66% of the 736 KSTs were apprehended at the northern border. The Center Square reports “the total of 736 is the greatest number of KSTs apprehended in recorded U.S. history.”
These numbers don’t include gotaways, which are believed to also include KSTs. “Gotaways” is the official U.S. Customs and Border Patrol term that refers to those who illegally enter the U.S. between ports of entry, don’t return to Mexico or Canada, and are not apprehended. They total at least nearly 1.7 million since January 2021. However, the number is believed to be much higher because not all gotaways are known and or reported.
“If you don’t think a single one of the 1.7 million [gotaways] is coming from a country that sponsors terrorism, then you’re ignoring the data,” said former ICE Chief Tom Homan, noting that those illegally entering the U.S. are coming from over 170 countries. “That’s what makes this a huge national security issue.”
