Critics Urge Tougher Stance Against National Security Risks at Border in Response to Leaked Memo

The memo issued by Customs and Border Protection warns of the possibility of ‘foreign fighters’ from the Middle East attempting to cross the southern border.

Illegal immigrants walk toward a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Sept. 28, 2023. John Moore/Getty Images

House Republicans can do more to stem the tide of unvetted migrants—150 of whom were identified as suspected terrorists during the past fiscal year—flowing into the U.S. from Mexico, say critics such as Sebastian Gorka, a former national security adviser to former President Donald Trump.

In response to a leaked internal memo issued by the San Diego Field Office Intelligence Division of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Oct. 20 warning of national security risks and potential terrorist threats, Mr. Gorka criticized President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas for the administration’s border policies, as well as ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans for inaction on the border crisis.