McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s terrorism warning due to the direct involvement of the U.S. in the Iran-Israel conflict could affect border security.
Noem on Sunday evening issued a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin saying there is a heightened threat environment across the United States, due to the ongoing conflict with Iran and Israel.
Violent extremists could mobilize in the country and DHS is warning of terrorist attacks that could include anti-Semitic and cyber security hacks, as well as U.S.-based individuals who could be plotting additional attacks in the United States.
“The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland,” the bulletin says.
The bulletin said there are currently no specific credible threats against the U.S.
Border Report has learned that people from countries with terrorist connections who try to enter the United States are specially screened and vetted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry, as well as Border Patrol.
These people — called Special Interest Aliens — are subjected to additional interviews with agents, as well as U.S. intelligence officers. They must explain the purpose of their travel, where they’ll stay, and for how long before being allowed into the United States.
Those who cross illegally are fingerprinted, photos taken and biometric information stored. And their information can be logged into a terrorist screening database.
DHS reports that in May there were “zero” immigrants allowed to cross into the United States without proper documentation, either at ports or in between legal ports of entry, according to the latest CBP data.
The total number of migrants encountered by Border Patrol was 8,725 in May along the entire Southwest border, CBP reports. That’s down from 117,905 last May.
But people from countries other than those that typically have fueled northern migration is on the uptick.
So far in Fiscal Year 2025, there has been a 13% increase in the number of people encountered by CBP officials who came from countries other than Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, CBP reports.
Noem on Monday announced that she is traveling to the Central American countries of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala for meetings with world leaders starting Tuesday.
The agency is urging U.S. residents to be vigilant in reporting any suspicious or unusual potential criminal activity.
This includes the agency’s See Something, Say Something campaign. Suspicious activity or threats of violence, including online threats, should be reported to local law enforcement who are collaborating with DHS and FBI.
The security bulletin issued Sunday expires on Sept. 22, unless extended by the agency.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
Read: Read More