Florida AG Questions DHS on Terror Watchlist Migrants

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has expressed grave concerns following a House report indicating that nearly 100 illegal immigrants on the terror watchlist have been released into the United States during the Biden-Harris administration. In a letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Moody criticized the administration for failing to protect national security and called for transparency regarding the identities and locations of these individuals in Florida. "This is absolutely unacceptable," she stated, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to be informed to effectively manage potential threats. The House Judiciary Committee report highlights that over 250 illegal aliens on the terrorist watchlist were encountered by Border Patrol between fiscal years 2021 and 2023. Of these, at least 99 have been released into American communities, with an additional 34 still in custody but not yet removed. The report raises alarms about the inadequacies in the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) processes, suggesting that immigration judges may not be receiving crucial information about the terrorist backgrounds of the individuals they are assessing. Moody's letter underscores the potential risks posed by these releases, particularly in Florida, which is a popular destination for large gatherings and events. She criticized DHS for not sharing vital intelligence with state law enforcement, asserting that many of the released individuals could have already arrived in Florida. The attorney general's demands for accountability reflect broader concerns about national security and immigration policy under the current administration. The report also notes that migrants on the terror watchlist have been encountered from various countries known for terrorism, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, raising further questions about the effectiveness of current border security measures.