Republicans have pushed the Biden administration to release information on details of people on terrorist watch lists encountered at the southern border, citing privacy interests as officials rejected FOX’s requests on the issue. is reacting with anger to the refusal.
“What is Joe Biden, this administration, and the Democratic Party? What are they hiding?” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) wonders on his podcast, “The Verdict on Ted Cruz.” Ta.
“They’re not disclosing their country of origin. I’m guessing the list of countries is really bad because they refuse to publish it.”
Biden administration refuses to reveal nationalities of terrorist watchlist amid surge in illegal immigration
Migrants who crossed the Rio Grande River into the United States from Mexico line up at U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Eagle Pass, Texas, on September 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
In October, Fox News filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking the nationality of a suspect on the FBI’s terror watch list who was arrested at the southern border between Border Patrol ports of entry.
The Terrorist Screening Dataset (TSDS) contains the following sensitive information: true identity of terrorist. Initially only known or suspected terrorist suspects (KSTs) were included, it now also includes additional individuals who represent a “potential threat to the United States,” such as known associates of individuals on the watch list. There is.
Illegal immigration from foreign enemies rises again amid national security fears
More than six months later, CBP acknowledged to Fox that the information was held in the Terrorist Inspection Dataset, but told Fox it would not provide the information.
CBP’s letter applies the exemption to protect the disclosure of files that could result in a “clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy,” and balances the public’s right to disclosure with the right to privacy of individuals. He says he needs to take it.
“The privacy interests of the individuals in the records you request outweigh the minimal public interest in disclosing the information. will not be taken into account,” the report said.
It also notes exceptions that protect records that disclose techniques or procedures for law enforcement investigations and records that may endanger the life or safety of individuals.
So far this year, Border Patrol agents have had 80 encounters with TSDS participants between ports of entry, compared to 172 in 2023 and 98 in 2022.
This response immediately prompted a reaction from Republicans.
For more information on the border security crisis, click here
Migrants cross the border from Mexico and wait to be processed by the U.S. Border Patrol, with the U.S.-Mexico border wall in the background, on Aug. 6, 2022, in Yuma, Arizona. (Qian Weizhong/VCG, via Getty Images)
Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee said, “Wow. DHS is putting the ‘privacy’ of a potential national security threat above the American people’s right to know where these people are coming from.” “We also think it’s important,” Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee said on X.
In response to the request, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) told DHS and CBP that “it is critical that we maintain data on the number and nationality of fugitives who enter and remain in the United States.” sent a letter saying.
Mr. Issa personally requested the nationality of the people registered with the TSDS, as well as the nationality of the people in and around his district.
“I urge you to share this important information with me as a member of Congress and with the American people in response to FOIA requests.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) previously requested a briefing on the issue, but he did so again in a follow-up letter this week obtained by Fox News Digital. . His office told Fox DHS it only provided briefings within sensitive facilities.
“There is no reason to deny the public this important information,” he said, reiterating his request for a briefing.
