Mid City Times

Congressman Roger Williams has introduced legislation aimed at stopping potential terrorists from entering the United States through the southern border. The Identifying Potential Terrorist at the Border Act of 2024, also known as H.R. 7733, would require Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to screen and detain all individuals attempting to cross the border until they are determined not to be on the Federal Terror Watchlist.

“We are a land of laws, and it is past time this Administration acts like it,” said Congressman Williams. “Joe Biden is encouraging a deadly invasion of fighting-age men on American soil and each day this Democrat-created influx of illegal aliens allows bad actors to slip past Border Patrol undetected."

Under the current law, CBP is not obligated to screen migrants against the terrorist watchlist database, leading to dangerous individuals entering the country undetected. Congressman Williams emphasized the importance of knowing who is entering the country, stating, "Now more than ever, we must be aware of who is in our country as Republicans fight to restore law and order and end Biden’s deadly open border policies that are destroying America."

The Congressman's bill comes in response to reports indicating a significant number of foreign nationals detained at the border were later confirmed to be on the Federal Terror Watchlist. According to CBP, there were over 165 encounters with non-U.S. citizens on the terrorist watchlist at the southern border in FY23 and 58 so far in FY24, a substantial increase from just 3 individuals in FY20.

It is noted that currently, CBP screens migrants against the terror database as a practice but not a legal requirement.

Congressman Williams, who chairs the House Small Business Committee and is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas. His legislation has garnered attention and was recently featured on Fox News.