New data released from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveals that 23 individuals who illegally entered the southern border in 2021 were on terrorist watch lists.

From January 20, 2021, to December 27, 2021, the CBP had 23 known encounters with individuals who matched the terrorist watch list. According to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (submitted by FOX), the individuals apprehended on the watch list were encountered in the following sectors:
4 in the San Diego Sector
4 in the Rio Grande Valley Sector
4 in the Del Rio Sector
4 in the El Centro Sector
3 in the El Paso Sector
2 in the Tucson Sector
2 in the Yuma Sector

It is not department policy for the CPB to release apprehensions of those who are on the terrorist watch list. We are in the process of submitting a FOIA request reflecting known apprehensions of individuals on the terrorist watch lists from 12/28/21 to 04/18/22. We will update you when we receive a response.