Lafayette Reporter

Senators John Kennedy and Roger Marshall have introduced a new bill in Congress that aims to address the issue of individuals on the FBI's Terrorist Watchlist entering the United States through the southern border. The bill, titled the Where Are The Terrorists Now Act, would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide monthly reports to Congress regarding encounters with individuals on the watchlist.

According to Senator Kennedy, the Biden administration's lack of action on border security is undermining national security. He states, "More members of the FBI's terror watchlist are sneaking into our country than ever before. If the Biden administration is going to forfeit its duty to protect American citizens, Congress needs transparency from the Department of Homeland Security so we can address the real terrorist threat open borders pose to American communities."

Senator Marshall echoes these concerns, describing the situation at the southern border as an invasion. He emphasizes the need for action and states, "Month after month, we have seen historic numbers of migrants on the FBI's terror watchlist infiltrating our country's border. The threat the individuals on this list pose to Americans' safety is too great for us to do nothing."

Under the proposed legislation, the DHS, in collaboration with the Department of Justice and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, would be required to provide Congress with a detailed monthly report. The report would include information such as the number of individuals on the terrorist screening database encountered by border officials, the location of each encounter, the reasons for their inclusion on the watchlist, any ties to terrorist organizations, their nation of origin, previous criminal convictions, and details of how they traveled to the United States.

Additionally, the report would provide information on where individuals were detained, whether they are still detained, deported, transferred to another agency, or released. If individuals have been released, the report would also outline how the DHS determined that they do not pose a danger to the United States.

Senators John Cornyn and Steve Daines have also co-sponsored the bill, highlighting the bipartisan support for addressing this issue. The full text of the legislation is available for review.

In conclusion, Senators Kennedy and Marshall have introduced the Where Are The Terrorists Now Act to address the concerning issue of individuals on the FBI's Terrorist Watchlist entering the United States through the southern border. The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability by requiring the DHS to provide monthly reports to Congress. With bipartisan support, it is hoped that this legislation will contribute to strengthening national security and protecting American communities.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/public/press-releases?ID=88FE3AC3-1B11-4C8F-B638-2474C3899F79