A retired border official is warning Americans about an increase in illegal immigration, particularly those deemed “aliens of significant interest,” as a result of the Biden-Harris administration's border policies.
““There are significant threats out there that we don't know about,” former Border Patrol chief Aaron Heitke told “Fox & Friends First” on Wednesday.
“There has been a steady increase in the number of people coming across the border, and that number continues to grow by thousands every day.”
House top committee demands internal documents about Harris' role in border crisis: 'total failure'
Encounters at the Southwest border have increased 237% under the Biden-Harris Administration compared to the Trump administration. (Screenshot/Fox & Friends First)
Heitke is scheduled to testify Wednesday before the House Homeland Security Committee about the Biden-Harris administration's policies that have resulted in more than 8.2 million migrant encounters at the southwest border between February 2021 and July 2024.
Heitke explained that during his time in the San Diego area, he has witnessed an alarming increase in immigration.
“In the last two years that I've been in San Diego, San Diego has averaged between 10 and 15 significant alien arrests per year, which is the average for the history of this area,” he said.
“In 2022, that number jumped to well over 100. And in 2023, it's approaching 200. The numbers continue to skyrocket, and that's exactly what we got.”
Heitke added that in 2022 and 2023, there were at times areas along the border in Arizona, Texas and California where there were “no agents at all.”
“We have no idea who or what may have entered our country during that time,” he warned.
The House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday titled “A Nation Without Borders: How the Biden-Harris Open Border Policy Has Undermined Our Safety and Security.” (Reuters)
Heitke also highlighted the “struggle” to deport migrants to their home countries.
“A lot of people don't realize that they can't deport their citizens unless they have an agreement with the countries they're deporting them to,” Heitke said. “The agreements have lapsed. We've seen a steady decline in the number of people detained in our country, which ultimately results in releases. We end up releasing people to the U.S., which doesn't prevent people from coming to the U.S., but rather encourages them to come.”
As a result, Heitke said he encountered individuals “affiliated with various criminal and terrorist organizations” during his time in San Diego.
And he stressed that reduced border presence means these individuals are free to cross into the U.S. and engage in dangerous activities ranging from terrorism and fundraising for drug cartels to narcotics and human trafficking.
“Anything that can make money,” Heitke said.
Additionally, top House committees are stepping up efforts to obtain documents from the Biden administration. Vice President Kamala Harris Its role in what lawmakers are calling “the worst border crisis in American history” is immeasurable.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Troy Miller is following up on a request he made last month for documents and correspondence between Harris' office and CBP.
“Massive illegal immigration and release Illegal immigration “The increase in illegal immigration into the United States under the Biden-Harris Administration has contributed to the murder, sexual assault and serious injury of many Americans at the hands of illegal immigrants. These crimes should never have happened.”
The letter included details of incidents perpetrated by members of the MS-13 gang, New York City, It is believed to have been committed by two immigrants.
Comer said the committee set an Aug. 20 deadline and repeated the request on Aug. 20 and Sept. 6. It has now set an Oct. 1 deadline and warned of further action if the request is not met.
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Fox News' Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
