Potential Terror Attack in the United States Caused by Illegal Immigrants through the Southern Border
Introduction
Terrorism is a subject of significant concern globally. Many nations have employed measures and strategies designed to curb this threat. In 2016, the Department of Homeland Security secretary sent a three-page memo to the ten top law enforcers in the United States, referencing terrorism threats arising from the country’s borders. (Bensman, 2018). The secretary demanded immediate attention to develop a consolidated plan to handle the illegal immigrants across the southern border. He highlighted the possibility of these smugglers to be associated with terror activities. In a sense, the rampant movement of illegal immigrants, especially of Islamic origin, presented a potential national security threat. Although no official reports indicate any illegal immigrant carrying out a terror attack in the United States, the rampant illegal movement of individuals across borders is a source of concern. This discussion is focused on addressing the threat posed to the United States from an international terrorist who comes in through Central and South America.
Affiliated Terror Activities from Illegal Immigrants and the Government Response
There is no history of illegal immigrants committing a terror attack in the United States. However, in 2017, a Somali guy seeking asylum committed a terror attack in Canada. The Somali had entered through the Mexican border in 2011. (Bensman, 2018). Allegedly, the attack was an ISIS-inspired attack in Canada, which wounded five individuals. Isis is an international terror group associated with several instances of terrorism.
Nevertheless, several illegal border crossers with affiliation to terrorism were arrested after the attack on Canada. Some of them had a connection to terror groups in Somalia, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Sri Lanka. Ever since then, no illegal immigrant has been associated with terrorism. However, this served as an eye-opener. In essence, an international terror group targeting the United States could use the same strategy to send their associate in the pretext of seeking asylum. As such, the rampant movement of illegal immigrants across the borders is a threat facing the United States.
Conversely, the legislation enacted after 9/11 regarding terrorism in the United States has successfully kept terror attacks at bay. (Spindlove & Simonsen, 2017). These enactments focused on the immigrants entering the United States through the southwestern border. These enactments further focused on the international smuggling of immigrants. In a sense, the root of illegal immigrants into the United States was rooted in far-distance countries such as North America, the Middle East, and South Asia. (Spindlove & Simonsen, 2017). They mostly used Mexican to enter the United States. In a sense, the strategic plans made were to ensure that no illegal immigrant was allowed in the United States. They did this by identifying countries with groups that could sponsor terror activities in the United States via the immigrants. Once an illegal immigrant was apprehended at the border, the responsible agencies would track down the smugglers and dismantle the whole network.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, illegal immigrants into the United States are still a threat facing the country. When the Department of Homeland Security secretary sent a memo to the top law enforces, he had cited the global illegal immigration as a potential risk to the United States’ security. Unfortunately, his assessment came at the end of President Obama’s term in office. When the new administration took into office, little is known about the progress of the issue. In a sense, most of the national debate lacks adequate coverage of the potential threat from illegal immigrants in the current administration. Since a terror attack was committed in Canada by an individual who had assessed the United States through the southern border, it points out that such an act would occur in the United States. This is because the current administration has despised the subject of illegal immigrants. Therefore, through the southern borders, illegal immigrants present a potential terrorist attack since it is an issue that escaped the attention of the current administration.
Reference
Bensman, T. (2018). Terrorist Infiltration Threat at the Southwest Border. Center for Immigration Studies Backgrounder.
Spindlove, J. R., & Simonsen, C. E. (2017). Terrorism today: The past, the players, the future. Pearson.