Earlier this month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) apprehended a Salvadoran national in New York City, wanted in El Salvador on terrorism charges. The arrest, executed without incident on November 8, has thrust the Biden administration’s border security policies into sharp relief. The individual, a confirmed member of the notorious 18th Street gang, had previously thwarted deportation due to an asylum claim, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in the U.S. immigration system.

ERO’s action aligns with El Salvador’s intensified efforts against organized crime, signaling a commitment to transnational collaboration. However, the backdrop of this arrest is a burgeoning crisis: an unprecedented rise in individuals on the U.S. terrorist watch list attempting illegal border crossings. From October last year to this September, 169 individuals on the watch list were apprehended at the southern border — a significant jump from the 98 during the previous fiscal year and a mere 15 in 2021.

ICE detains international fugitive wanted in El Salvador on terror-related charges | Just The News https://t.co/aFI9ITTxOc

— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) November 22, 2023

This alarming trend reflects a broader surge in illegal crossings, with migrants originating from a diverse array of countries. It casts a spotlight on the Biden administration’s border policies, which critics argue have compromised American safety. Rep. Mark E. Green (R-TN), during a hearing on global threats, questioned the emboldened attempts by individuals on the watch list to cross the border, suggesting that under the current administration, the perceived likelihood of successful entry has increased.

While the administration and Department of Homeland Security analysts maintain that these encounters do not necessarily indicate a heightened threat, the figures are concerning. The southern border, historically not a terrorist entry point, is now a sieve through which hundreds of thousands of undetected migrants may flow — a sharp contrast to the stringent measures under the Trump administration.

The detainee’s history further underscores the lapses in immigration enforcement. After entering the U.S. at an unknown time and location, he was issued an expedited removal order in 2018 but managed to delay deportation through an asylum claim. It wasn’t until June 2023 that the ERO attaché in El Salvador flagged him as a fugitive, leading to his re-arrest.

This case exemplifies the vital role of ERO, tasked with safeguarding the homeland by arresting and removing those undermining U.S. safety and immigration laws. The agency’s extensive network, consisting of over 7,700 personnel, underscores the enormity of the challenge.

The incident draws attention to the broader issue of the terrorist watch list’s effectiveness and its controversial nature. The list, criticized for its lack of transparency and potential for misidentification, currently holds over a million names. The process of delisting entities, such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which was removed following a peace deal, is fraught with bureaucratic inertia.

Critics argue that the Biden administration’s approach to border security has created an environment ripe for exploitation by those wishing to harm the U.S. The recent arrests serve as a reminder of the ongoing national security crisis, raising questions about the current administration’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the nation’s borders.