Austin News

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, urging increased precautions along the U.S.-Canada border.

The senators expressed concern over Canada’s recent decision to increase the number of refugees allowed to enter on temporary resident visas from Israel and the Palestinian Territories, including Gaza and the West Bank. They fear this could enable Gazans with potential terrorist ties to enter the U.S. through Canada due to limited reliable records or background checks.

In their letter, the senators stated, "While the Biden Administration claims that all foreign nationals are inspected pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act, this administration’s lax border enforcement is increasingly apparent, as terrorists and known criminals continue to stream across U.S. land borders, including from Canada."

They further noted, "As such, the possibility of terrorists crossing the U.S.-Canada border is deeply concerning given the deep penetration of Gazan society by Hamas. It would be irresponsible for the U.S. to not take necessary heightened precautions when foreigners attempt to enter the United States."

Sens. Cruz and Rubio were joined by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in signing the letter.

The letter detailed concerns about Canada's measures allowing Palestinians living in Palestinian Territories to apply for temporary resident visas (TRV). Once granted entry by Canada via a TRV, individuals receive a "Refugee Travel Document," enabling them to travel outside Canada while awaiting Canadian citizenship.

The senators urged that irrespective of Canada's immigration policies, common-sense terrorist screening should not be waived for any individual entering the U.S., emphasizing that "this administration’s lax border enforcement is increasingly apparent." They highlighted that in FY24 alone, more than 233 suspected terrorists had been encountered at the northern border by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations.

The letter concluded with several questions directed at Secretary Mayorkas regarding protocols for permitting or denying entry of Palestinian nationals or Canadian TRV holders attempting to enter or claim asylum at U.S. ports of entry.