How Illegal Immigration Influences Terrorism and Homeland Security

The upcoming House Subcommittee hearing aims to address the critical intersection between illegal immigration, terrorism, and national security implications.

At a Glance

The House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Border Security will hold a hearing on September 19 at 10 a.m. ET.
The goal is to explore the connection between illegal immigration and national security.
Kelly Brown, Timothy Healy, and Alex Nowrasteh will testify as witnesses.
DHS initiatives include prosecuting 100 percent of illegal border crossers and deploying the National Guard to the border.
There has been a significant increase in budget and resources for immigration enforcement post-9/11.

Hearing Details and Agenda

The House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, in collaboration with the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement, will hold a significant hearing titled “Beyond the Border: Terrorism and Homeland Security Consequences of Illegal Immigration” on September 19 at 10 a.m. ET. The hearing will include testimonies from private citizen witnesses, Kelly Brown and Timothy Healy, along with Alex Nowrasteh, Vice President of Economic and Social Policy Studies at the Cato Institute. Attendees will delve into the complex relationship between illegal immigration and its impact on U.S. national security.

The discussion will revolve around the need to bridge gaps in the immigration system that serve as magnets for illegal immigration and compromise national security. Witnesses are expected to offer insights into how current policies could inadvertently aid nefarious actors like smugglers and human traffickers, emphasizing the necessity for robust legislative reforms.

DHS Actions and Border Security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been vigilant in its efforts to curb illegal immigration and secure the nation’s borders. DHS has adopted measures like prosecuting 100 percent of illegal border crossers, building new border walls, and deploying the National Guard to reinforce border security. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen has announced these historic actions aimed at confronting the illegal immigration crisis, highlighting the Migration Protection Protocols (MPP) and other vital initiatives.

Kelly Brown and Timothy Healy will present their findings and recommendations during the hearing. Their testimony will include discussing the loopholes exploited by human traffickers and smugglers, and the subcommittee aims to address these concerns promptly to ensure the safety of American citizens.

Post-9/11 Policies and Their Impact

The 9/11 attacks significantly transformed the U.S. immigration system, leading to increased budgets, large-scale arrests, and heightened security measures. The Department of Homeland Security, created in 2003, unified national security efforts, substantially enhancing resources for agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Federal spending on immigration enforcement surged from $4.3 billion in FY 2000 to $25.1 billion in FY 2020, with staffing within DHS tripling during the same period.

“Today we are announcing historic measures to bring the illegal immigration crisis under control,” said Secretary Nielsen. “Let me be clear: we will undertake these steps consistent with all domestic and international legal obligations, including our humanitarian commitments. We have notified the Mexican government of our intended actions. In response, Mexico has made an independent determination that they will commit to implement essential measures on their side of the border. We expect affected migrants will receive humanitarian visas to stay on Mexican soil, the ability to apply for work, and other protections while they await a U.S. legal determination. Catch and release” will be replaced with ‘catch and return.’”

The hearing also aims to review how expanded immigration enforcement, catalyzed by 9/11, continues to shape policies and statements within Congress. Federal initiatives, including the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) and the 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, were fundamental in fortifying national security but have also created an extensive asylum backlog.

JUST IN: House GOP announces another hearing on border/immigration ahead of November election

“Beyond the Border: Terrorism & Homeland Security Consequences of Illegal Immigration”

joint Subcommittees on Counterterrorism, LEO, Intelligence + Border Security & Enforcement pic.twitter.com/TkSCD2PD8v

— Anna Giaritelli (@Anna_Giaritelli) September 13, 2024

Concluding Remarks

The joint subcommittee hearing slated for September 19 is a critical platform to address how illegal immigration affects national security and counterterrorism. Witnesses like Kelly Brown and Timothy Healy will offer invaluable perspectives, contributing to a thorough discussion aimed at closing legal loopholes and enhancing border security. These measures are vital for a safer America, ensuring that immigration policies serve national security interests effectively and humanely.