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FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday said that the number of illegal immigrants evading Border Patrol agents and escaping into the country is a source of "great concern" for the agency, as he told lawmakers that threats from the other side of the border are "consuming" FBI field offices.

Wray testified to lawmakers on the House Homeland Security Committee about "worldwide threats" to the U.S. Chairman Mark Green asked Wray about the numbers of gotaways illegal immigrants at the border who evaded Border Patrol which have exceeded 600,000 in FY 23. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources tell Fox News there have been over 47,000 gotaways since the beginning of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.

Green said the number of gotaways since the beginning of the Biden administration could be well over two million.

HOUSE HOMELAND CHAIR GREEN TO WARN US IS AT ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES' IN HISTORY DURING THREAT HEARING

"Can the FBI guarantee American people that known or suspected terrorists, including any from Hamas or other terror groups, are not amongst those gotaways?" he asked.

"Well, certainly the group of people that you're talking about are source of great concern for us. That's why we're aggressively using all 56 of our joint terrorism task forces," Wray said.

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He later said that "any time you have a group of people in the United States that we don't know nearly enough about, that is a source of concern for us from a perspective in our lane of protecting Americans."

Wray testified that there has been an increase in the number of known or suspected terrorists attempting to cross the border in the last five years the number of those encountered on the terror watchlist hit record numbers in FY 23.

Wray said he couldnt speak to why that is, but added "the threats that come from the other side of the border are very much consuming all 56 of our field offices, not just in the border states."

FBI DIRECTOR WRAY WARNS TERROR THREAT TO AMERICANS AT 'WHOLE OTHER LEVEL' AMID HAMAS-ISRAEL CONFLICT

The testimony comes amid renewed concern, particularly from Republicans but also from within the Biden administration, about the potential for terrorists to use the border to gain access to the United States, particularly as Border Patrol agents are dealing with record migrant numbers.

There were over 249,000 migrant encounters in October alone, after an FY 23 which broke records for migrant encounters. Republicans have pinned the blame on the Biden administration for its policies, while the administration says it needs immigration reform and more funding to address a "broken" immigration system.

Those concerns about terrorism have been renewed in the wake of the Hamas terror attack on Israel. Green told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the U.S. is at "heightened risk," and said the "open door policy" at the border is largely to blame.

Wray has previously told lawmakers in the Senate that the threat of a terror attack against Americans has been raised to a "whole other level" due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He said the most immediate concern includes homegrown violent extremists who are inspired by foreign terrorist organizations, or by domestic violent extremists who are targeting Muslim or Jewish targets.

A CBP memo warned fighters from Hamas, Hezbollah and other groups may seek entry into the U.S., although the agency said last month it has had no indication of fighters attempting to enter the U.S.

"CBP has seen no indication of Hamas-directed foreign fighters seeking to make entry into the United States," a CBP spokesperson said at the time.

The Department of Homeland Securitys FY 24 threat assessment warned that agents have encountered a growing number on the watch list and warned that "terrorists and criminal actors may exploit the elevated flow and increasingly complex security environment to enter the United States."

"Individuals with terrorism connections are interested in using established travel routes and permissive environments to facilitate access to the United States," the assessment also said.

However, the agency has also stressed that it works "tirelessly to screen, vet, and prevent anyone who poses a threat from entering the country" and that encounters of known or suspected terrorists are rare with watchlist encounters also including those associated with known or suspected terrorists, including relatives.

"Our border security efforts include biometric and biographic screening and vetting," a DHS official said. "CBP screens and vets every individual encountered, and if an individual is determined to pose a potential threat to national security or public safety, in coordination with the Joint Terrorism Taskforce (JTTF), we either deny admission, detain, remove, or refer them to other federal agencies for further vetting and prosecution as appropriate. "

Fox News' Aubrie Spady and Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.

Original article source: FBI Director Wray says border gotaways a source of 'great concern' for agency

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FBI Director Wray says border gotaways a source of 'great concern' for agency - Yahoo News

Civic Engagement

Written ByCarlota Morgado de Almeida

In our Icon Series, we reflect upon individuals who have laid the foundation for our journey toward justice and equity. The New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity celebrates the extraordinary life of John Lewis.

John Lewis, a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement, dedicated his life to fighting for justice, equality, and human rights. From his early activism as a student to his decades-long tenure as a respected congressman, Lewis left an invaluable mark on the struggle for racial equity and social justice in the United States. Through his commitment to nonviolent protest and his persistent pursuit of equality for all, John Lewis became synonymous with courage and perseverance. In this article, we delve into the extraordinary life and legacy of John Lewis, the conscience of the Congress.

John Lewis was born on February 21, 1940, in Troy, Alabama, at a time when racial segregation and discrimination ran deep in the American South. The son of sharecroppers, Lewis leaned toward activism from an early age. Even before turning 16 years old, Lewis preached a sermon at his family church that made it to his hometowns newspaper. He took inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s leadership and Rosa Parks courage that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. These experiences fueled Lewis passion for social justice and set him on a lifelong path of advocacy and activism.

As a young man, Lewis was drawn to the philosophy of nonviolent resistance and became involved in various civil rights activities, including sit-ins, freedom rides, and voter registration campaigns. In February 1960, he was arrested for the first time, along with other students who organized a series of sit-ins at segregated lunch counters in Nashville. In 1961, Lewis was arrested once again with other Freedom Riders for defying to observe the segregationist practices aboard interstate buses. The repetition of these experiences throughout his youth shows Lewis commitment to the principles of nonviolence and justice, despite the beatings and aggression that protesters were often met with.

In 1963, John Lewis was elected to replace Chuck McDew as the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which made him more visible in the public space. In the same year, Lewis played a key leadership role in the historic March on Washington, one of his most notable contributions to the civil rights movement. Still in his 20s, and as the youngest speaker at the event, Lewis delivered a passionate speech emphasizing the urgency of civil rights legislation and racial equality.

By the mid-1960s, Lewis was considered one of the Big Six leaders of the civil rights movement, along with Roy Wilkins, Philip Randolph, Whitney Young, James Farmer, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was instrumental in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, where he and other civil rights activists faced brutal violence at the hands of state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The events of what became known as Bloody Sunday brought national attention to the cause and ultimately led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

After years of grassroots movements, John Lewis activism culminated in his first run for Congress in 1977. Although Lewis first campaign was unsuccessful, President Jimmy Carter appointed him to direct ACTION, the umbrella federal volunteer agency that included the Peace Corps and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). Lewis transitioned to a career in politics when he entered elective office as an Atlanta city councilman in 1981 and later won a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 1986.

Throughout his tenure as a Democratic congressman, representing Georgias 5th congressional district, Lewis remained a steadfast advocate for civil rights, social justice, and equality. He championed voting rights, healthcare, and immigration reform and held vocal anti-war positions relating to Iraq. Lewis also had an instrumental role in the creation of the National Museum of African American History, co-authoring and sponsoring the legislation that created the museum. Showing the same perseverance he had demonstrated during his lifelong activism, he submitted the bill for discussion every year for 15 consecutive years until it was passed by Congress and signed into law in 2003.

His support of the Affordable Care Act during the Obama administration made Lewis the target of racial slurs, and his advocacy continued throughout the Trump administration. In the wake of the 2016 presidential election, Lewis took to non-violent protesting once again by not attending President Trumps inauguration ceremony, citing his concerns about the legitimacy of the elections outcome.

Lewis literary pursuits blossomed later in life, with the exception of the memoir Walking in the Wind, which he co-wrote with Michael DOrso in 1998. From the 2010s onwards, Lewis coauthored or authored several new books, including a trilogy of autobiographical graphic novels titled March (2013, 2015, 2016) recounting his experiences in the civil rights movement. Lewis hoped the series would impact young people in the same way that he was inspired by the graphic novel Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story (1958).

John Lewiss legacy is one of resilience, bravery, and unwavering commitment to the cause of justice. He was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize in 1975, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2001, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples (NAACP) Spingarn Medal in 2002. In 2011 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Lewiss dedication to public service was guided by his belief in the power of ordinary people to effect positive change in their communities and the world. He often emphasized the importance of getting into good trouble, necessary trouble in the pursuit of justice and equality. His commitment to nonviolent protest and his belief in the inherent goodness of humanity served as guiding principles throughout his life and made him remembered as the conscience of Congress.

John Lewis passing on July 17, 2020, from pancreatic cancer, marked the end of an era, but his work laid the foundation for significant legislative changes and paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable society. His impact on American politics and society remains profound, serving as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, courage, and the relentless pursuit of justice and equity.

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LEWIS, John R. History art and Archives: The United States House of Representatives

John Lewis Biography

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John Lewis: Courage, Activism, and the Pursuit of Equality - InDepthNH.org

ALBANY After the U.S. House of Representatives approved a stopgap bill to continue to fund the government Tuesday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced Wednesday that she would vote in favor of the bill to avoid a government shutdown.

Speaking during a virtual press conference Wednesday morning, Gillibrand criticized the chaos in the Republican-controlled House.

The plan devised by House Speaker Mike Johnson, which passed the House yesterday, is not perfect, nor is it something that Democrats would have proposed, the New York Democrat said. In fact, the continued chaos in the Republican-controlled House was a major reason why Moody's lowered the U.S. credit rating from stable to negative, but it allows us to avoid some of the devastating consequences that a shutdown would have.

The stopgap bill put forward by newly-elected speaker temporarily funds some federal agencies, like housing and transportation, until Jan. 19, and others, such as defense spending, until Feb. 2.

Notably, the bill does not include any cuts to the Internal Revenue Service, as proposed by House Republicans, nor any aid for Israel and Ukraine.

Anyone who has heard the horror stories coming out of the Middle East and Ukraine right now knows that time is of the essence, Gillibrand said. At a time when Russia, Iran and China are actively colluding against American interests, it is critical that we deliver the necessary resources to protect our national security and the security of our allies.

In reaction to the removal of the funding for Israel and Ukraine, Gov. Kathy Hochul urged federal lawmakers to approve President Joe Bidens supplemental funding request for the aid.

New Yorkers feel the urgency of this moment: with the largest Jewish and Ukrainian populations in America, my constituents are eager to see additional security support. And as the site of major flooding as well as the epicenter of the migrant and asylum seeker crisis, New York urgently needs federal dollars to support our emergency efforts here at home, Hochul said in a statement. "I know our Senators and our Democratic Members of Congress are working to support President Biden's efforts but bipartisan action is needed to accomplish these critical goals.

Gillibrand said she is still optimistic a bipartisan deal can be reached to fund both.

One of the things that the House Republicans want is a border security bill and immigration reform bill, she said. So, the challenge is to see if that can be negotiated, but I believe if the House do get a border security bill, they will give us a Ukraine bill.

The U.S. Senate is poised to pass the bill by the end of the week to avoid a government shutdown Friday. Both U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have said they will vote in favor of the stopgap bill. Gillibrand said they expect to vote on the bill on Thursday.

Gillibrand once again criticized the chaos among House Republicans for the competing interests among their conference that has disrupted negotiations over a funding bill.

It's one of the reasons why I'm actually working to raise money and to create a coordinated campaign in New York so we can win those five House seats back, Gillibrand said. Those new Republican members have not led. They have not gotten anything done on immigration. They've gotten nothing done on SALT. They've gotten nothing done on just keeping the government running properly. So, I think those are real issues that will be brought to the voters about the lack of function and a lack of leadership in the House right now."

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Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to vote in favor of stopgap funding bill to ... - The Daily Gazette

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Vasquez unveils package of border security and immigration reform ... - Santa Fe New Mexican

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SALT LAKE CITY Because Liliana Bolanos' parents brought her from Mexico to America at age 2, people often tell her that her parents are criminals. But she sees it differently.

"My parents are not the villains of my story they are the heroes of my story," Bolanos, of Salt Lake City, said Saturday during a rally promoting immigration reform at the Utah Capitol.

Now an immigration paralegal, and one of the organizers of local group Utah With All Immigrants, Bolanos said the Beehive State is only receptive to some kinds of immigrants. As a DACA recipient, Bolanos has a work permit and protection from deportation rights that are not afforded to her parents, who live in Utah County.

"It's very divisive, and it separates families to say that this member of your family deserves citizenship, and you do not," Bolanos said. "Our group emphasizes the importance that all immigrants are deserving of being advocated for, and respect, because at the end of the day, we are all impacted if one of us doesn't have the rights that the others have."

Bolanos joined other Utahns Saturday in celebrating National Stand With Immigrants Day through their second annual rally calling for immigration reform, along with better education and community awareness of issues faced by immigrants.

The group's mission, according to Bolanos, is "to empower all immigrants in Utah by fostering community, providing representation, promoting awareness, connecting with resources and sharing untold stories."

She said after 22 years, she and her mother were finally given the chance to apply for U.S. citizenship the same year her mother was diagnosed with stage three cancer.

"There are days where I wonder if she will live to see the day she gets a green card," Bolanos said through tears. "So we have to raise our voice for those who can't."

Another local family affected by immigration policies is that of Taylor Heiner, who also participated in the rally. He and his wife, Maleny, went to Mexico in August to apply for her green card. But the immigration officer denied her access, meaning she is stuck indefinitely in Mexico.

"She grew up in the United States this is her home. We've filed multiple expedites, and the only thing we can do is wait," Heiner said.

During the rally, Heiner called for policy reform, and encouraged locals to vote for politicians actively working to improve immigration.

He said, "We need to humanize these laws and policies. We need to understand that this impacts individuals and families. Because my wife was impacted by this, my family is separated, and I'm working every day to get her back home."

Saane Siale, another organizer of Utah for All Immigrants, also called for humanizing immigration laws, and pointed out that Maleny is just one of many impacted by U.S. policies.

"There are real families behind these laws and policies, and people forget that. We have to humanize it," Siale said. "I want to challenge people's perception of the immigration system, and to think about what can work better."

She said she wishes more people would put in the work to become educated and aware of the immigration system, which she called "outdated, convoluted and confusing."

"How are they supposed to navigate a system that's not actually meant to help them come here legally?" Siale asked.

"I will fight every day until Melany is home, and every other immigrant who deserves to call this place home," she added. "They did not choose the reality that they have to face."

Alexander Bybee, who works in Utah immigration services, also encouraged listeners to become more educated.

"We all need to be radically curious about other people, we need to analyze our assumptions about groups of people," he said.

He said even implicit acts of racism, such as promoting American exceptionalism, can harm people and contribute to a culture of anti-immigration sentiment.

"Let's recognize that all immigrants are people, that they are more than their status. Let's recognize that the immigration system often creates hardship for these immigrants, and excludes them from the resources they need," Bybee said. "Immigration is a complex systembut there is a simple and clear goal: all immigrants are welcome to the U.S., no matter what country they come from."

Gabrielle Shiozawa is a reporter for KSL.com.

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Utah advocacy group rallies for immigration reform - KSL.com