AG Marshall says terrorists crossing border must be dealt with 'aggressively'

Concerns about terrorists crossing the U.S. southern border have intensified as the Israel-Hamas war unfolds. A recent Customs and Border Patrol memo alerted law enforcement to be vigilant of suspects potentially tied to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah trying to cross the Southern border.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who also chairs the National Republican Attorneys General Association, says the Biden administration’s policies are attracting threats more dangerous than we currently know.

In a Monday morning interview with FOX Business, Marshall said it’s a “very direct threat upon our nation.”

“We see significant issues that have arisen as a result of failed policies by this administration, drug trafficking, which we’ve talked about with the rise of fentanyl and significant deaths that we’ve incurred in this country as a result of overdose, human trafficking remains a significant issue,” Marshall said.

“But now when we see the issues in the Middle East, the situation involving Hamas, knowing those that are entering in this country because of the porous border, they can do bad things here,” Marshall said. “Not only is that a safety issue for our communities around our country, but also it’s a very direct threat upon our nation.”

In October alone, over 23,000 “known gotaways” have been reported, with the number surpassing 1.5 million since President Biden’s inauguration, according to official figures.

Homeland Security’s Mayorkas directed ICE to limit arrests and detentions of certain illegal entrants. Thousands labeled as “special interest aliens”—from countries deemed terrorism risks—have been apprehended at the border.

Marshall said it’s incumbent on law enforcement to be “vigilant” and “aggressive” in dealing with individuals on the terrorist watch list entering communities across the country.

“And so from a law enforcement standpoint, we have to be vigilant, we have to be aware that this is out there, and then we have to be aggressive.”

Marshall also spoke about his recent trip to Israel, where he learned to better identify homegrown antisemitism. In the time since, anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment has unfolded in the United States, particularly on college campuses.

“You know, it’s incredibly sad, but we shouldn’t be surprised when we’ve seen the rise of progressive ideology taught on our college campuses, Marx’s theory. These protests are simply the manifestation of what’s been going on for many years now,” Marshall said.

Just weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending time in Southern Israel. It’s unthinkable to see the devastation that has occurred there at the hands of Hamas. America cannot ever compromise when it comes to our support for Israel & must hold accountable those who finance Hamas. pic.twitter.com/PrIby7KepC

— Attorney General Steve Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall) October 7, 2023

“Less than three months ago, I was in Tzurit, in Israel, looking at Gaza, listening to the individuals who live in that community saying they simply wanted to be able to live in peace. But yet, you hear protesters using not free speech, but hate speech, creating fear on our college campuses. It’s time for our administrators to be able to stand up, and communities to be able to stand strong with our Jewish students.”

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270