FBI Director Kash Patel warned the U.S. needs to be ‘more vigilant’ about what is coming in across the Canadian border as adversaries have ‘adapted.’
The top law enforcement officer made the claim while testifying before lawmakers in the House Intelligence Committee about global threats on Wednesday.
‘Known and suspected terrorists are flowing in through our northern border more than they are our southern border,’ Patel warned.
He attributed it to the ‘successes we’ve had at closing our southern border.’
Patel was answering questions from Congressman Greg Steube when he made the admission while discussing the flow of fentanyl across the U.S. border.
At another point in the hearing, Patel said that known and suspected terrorists are coming in with ‘much less frequency at the southern border.
FBI Director Kash Patel (pictured) testified that more known and suspected terrorists are coming into the U.S. through the northern border at a House hearing
He said there have been two known or suspected terrorists apprehended at the southern border since January 20th when Trump took office.
‘They’re coming in with much greater frequency in the northern border and since January 20th, that number is 34,’ Patel said.
‘And those metrics have carried out over the last year in terms of ratio,’ the FBI director continued.
He said it indicates that ‘the individuals who want to do the most harm to this country are utilizing the northern border.’
Patel said the U.S. needs to refocus assets to the Canadian border.
Patel said 34 ‘suspected or known terrorists’ were apprehended at the Canadian border since January 20 compared to just 2 at the southern border
The FBI director during the hearing acknowledged the two most dangerous adversaries to the U.S. are China and Russia.
‘The enemy adapts,’ Patel said.
He warned that U.S. adversaries such as China, Russia and Iran have stopped using the southern border all together.
But he said they have shifted their focus and resources to the northern border as the Trump administration cracks down on the border with Mexico.
