A 21-year-old migrant from Saudi Arabia who was arrested for illegally crossing the southern border of the U.S. on Thursday is reportedly a “potential terrorist.”
The migrant was apprehended in the Yuma Sector of Arizona on Thursday night, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Chief Patrol Agent, Yuma Sector, Chris Clem.
“#YumaSector agents apprehended a potential terrorist who illegally entered the U.S. from Mexico Thursday night. The 21-year-old migrant from Saudi Arabia is linked to several Yemeni subjects of interest,” Clem announced on Monday.
#USBP #YumaSector agents apprehended a potential terrorist who illegally entered the U.S. from Mexico Thursday night. The 21-year-old migrant from Saudi Arabia is linked to several Yemeni subjects of interest. #BorderSecurity is #NationalSecurity pic.twitter.com/qszg0L0OYQ
— Chief Patrol Agent Chris T. Clem (@USBPChiefYUM) December 20, 2021
The report comes as concerns grow regarding the lack of Border Patrol officers available to staff the growing surge of migrants crossing in the Yuma Sector.
“As I reported last week, Border Patrol in the Yuma Sector has been stretched super thin with the large groups turning themselves over to agents. Sometimes only two to three agents are patrolling. Who has been able to get away?” Townhall reporter Julio Rosas tweeted.
Reminder: As I reported last week, Border Patrol in the Yuma Sector has been stretched super thin with the large groups turning themselves over to agents. Sometimes only two to three agents are patrolling. Who has been able to get away?https://t.co/P5Axv7nhvK https://t.co/9YCABINrJ9
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) December 20, 2021
Rosas reported last week regarding the shift of Border Patrol agents in the Yuma Sector moving from protecting the border to processing the thousands of migrants recently crossing the southern border in the area.
“Border Patrol daily assignment rosters in the Yuma Sector, obtained exclusively by Townhall, show how open the U.S.-Mexico border has become in the area as many agents — instead of patrolling the international border — are assigned to either process the thousands of illegal immigrants who willingly give themselves up to seek asylum or transport the large groups of people from the border to the sector’s headquarters,” Rosas reported.
The news also follows last week’s release of November’s CBP monthly operational update. The report noted more than 173,000 encounters at the southern border in November.
“In total, there were 173,620 encounters along the Southwest border, a 5% increase compared to October. Of those, 25% involved individuals who had at least one prior encounter in the previous 12 months,” the CBP reported.
Just in: @CBP releases illegal immigration numbers from November 2021: 173,620
The agency cites a 5% increase compared to October (164,753).
25% had at least one prior encounter in the past 12 months, compared to average re-encounter rate of 13% for FY2014-2019.#BorderCrisis pic.twitter.com/NmUBdll6fD
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) December 17, 2021
“87,341 encounters, more than 50% of the total, were processed for expulsion under Title 42 in November. 86,279 encounters were processed under Title 8,” the report added.
In addition, the number of unaccompanied minors also rose, with nearly 14,000 in November.
“Encounters of unaccompanied children increased 9%, with 13,959 encounters in November compared with 12,783 in October,” the CBP update revealed.