Staff Reports
A former chief patrol agent for the San Diego sector of the U.S. Border Patrol has revealed the extent of the Biden-Harris administration’s troubling practices regarding illegal immigration, specifically concerning individuals with potential ties to terrorism. Aaron Heitke testified before the House Homeland Security Committee, claiming he was explicitly ordered to keep silent about the rising number of illegal border crossers deemed to have “significant interest” due to their possible links to terrorist activities.
Heitke’s testimony painted a stark picture, alleging that the Biden administration was actively misleading the public about the dangers present at the southern border. According to Heitke, since the new administration came into power, the arrests of so-called significant interest aliens—individuals who may pose a threat to national security—have surged dramatically. Instead of addressing this alarming trend, the administration reportedly instructed him not to disclose the rise in these incidents, instead fostering a narrative that the border was secure and under control.
WOW! Former Border Patrol Chief Aaron Heitke testifies before Congress that he was ordered by the Biden-Harris admin to cover up the number of terrorists arrested at the border.
"I was told I could not release any information on this increase in SIAs or mention any of the… pic.twitter.com/gmF1iKNeNN
— Red Lips (@HidupnyaCewe) September 19, 2024
The data shared during his testimony certainly does not support the narrative of safety. Typically, the San Diego sector would see around ten to fifteen significant interest aliens arrested annually. However, over the last couple of years, that number has skyrocketed to over one hundred arrests per year. Heitke’s allegations suggested a deliberate cover-up, aimed at avoiding public concern about security vulnerabilities created by the loosening of border enforcement policies that began with the current administration.
Additionally, Heitke mentioned that he was restricted from speaking to the media and had to orchestrate the relocation of migrants to keep media attention at bay. He described a staggering reality where hundreds of illegal aliens were released daily into communities that were not equipped to support them. To complicate matters further, there were supposedly two flights weekly programmed to move migrants from San Diego to Texas—effectively ensuring these individuals simply shuffled around rather than being dealt with appropriately.
This serious testimony aligns with broader concerns about the Biden administration’s handling of border security. Critics have long argued that the administration has effectively rolled out a welcome mat for illegal immigration since taking office. A report from the committee noted the severe implications of this negligence, including over ten million encounters with aliens at the border and nearly two million known “gotaways,” or individuals who successfully evade apprehension.
Chairman August Pfluger highlighted a particularly alarming statistic, citing that a staggering 382 individuals on the terrorist watchlist were intercepted attempting to enter the U.S. illegally from 2021 to 2024—a shocking increase compared to only eleven such apprehensions from 2017 to 2020. The growing concern revolves around the many who remain elusive, leaving unanswered questions about the safety of American citizens amid this administration’s apparent failure to enforce border security effectively.
