Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) delivered an impassioned address from the Senate floor, emphasizing that the crisis unfolding at the southern border is not merely a concern for southern states but a nationwide issue. In a viral video shared on social media, Sen. Kennedy warned that the forthcoming statistics would be deeply concerning.

Sen. Kennedy minced no words in assigning blame for the ongoing border chaos, squarely pointing fingers at President Biden’s open-border policies. He argued that these policies not only facilitate but also encourage illegal immigration into the United States through the southern border, providing what he termed the “perfect cover” for dangerous individuals.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Sen. Kennedy remarked, “President Biden’s border policies are not just a human rights disaster, although they undoubtedly are. These policies have also created the ideal environment for terrorist sympathizers, child sex offenders, and cartel associates to enter the United States illegally.”

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol data reveals a startling surge in terror watchlist encounters during President Biden’s tenure:

• Fiscal Year (FY) 2020: 3 encounters
• FY 2021: 15 encounters
• FY 2022: 98 encounters
• FY 2023: 169 encounters

This exponential increase becomes evident when comparing it to the last full fiscal year of President Trump’s administration in 2020. Notably, these figures only reflect apprehended encounters and do not account for individuals who may have entered the country undetected, often referred to as “gotaways.”

Sen. Kennedy emphasized the significance of these numbers by stating, “Border Patrol apprehended 169 individuals from the FBI’s terrorist watchlist attempting to enter the United States illegally in 2023 alone. One hundred and sixty-nine. It takes just one terrorist. That’s more than ten times the potential terrorists that Border Patrol detained in the four years preceding President Biden’s term.”

During his passionate address, Sen. Kennedy underlined the alarming fact that individuals from countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, and China have been among those apprehended at the border. These countries are considered “special interest” nations by the FBI due to their anti-American sentiment, expanding the threat beyond those individuals listed on the terrorist watchlist.

Sen. Kennedy’s remarks underscore the urgency of addressing the border crisis and its far-reaching consequences for national security.