The safety of our country and our families must always come first. That is a simple truth every American once understood. But a new report from the House Committee on Homeland Security makes it clear that we are not as safe as we should be. The report shows that under Joe Biden’s leadership, the federal government allowed more than 18,000 known or suspected terrorists to enter and stay in the United States. These are not just people with bad intentions—they are individuals tied to deadly terrorist groups like ISIS, Hezbollah, and al Qaeda.
This is not just a number in a report. These are real people who now walk freely in our towns and cities. Many of them did not sneak in. They were let in through open-border policies and poor vetting systems. The same administration that failed in Afghanistan also failed to protect our homeland. That is not just careless—it is dangerous.
Over the past few years, we have seen the results. Since April 2021, more than 60 cases have been reported involving people in the U.S. who were inspired by or connected to foreign terrorist groups. These are not just people talking online. Some have received military training. Some have planned or even carried out real attacks. Some have tried to provide weapons or money to terrorist groups. These cases happened in at least 25 different states. No part of America is untouched.
Let us not forget the real victims. Two National Guard soldiers were killed in Syria by an ISIS gunman. Afghan nationals, who came here through a failed Biden parole program, have been arrested for terrorism-related crimes. One killed a National Guard member in Washington, D.C. Another plotted a 9/11-style attack. Another was arrested for supporting ISIS. These are not isolated events. They are part of a growing pattern that should alarm every parent, teacher, and neighbor.
Just last month, three men in Dearborn, Michigan, were arrested for trying to help ISIS. Two teenagers in New Jersey were also arrested for helping with the plan. A Palestinian man linked to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack in Israel was found living in Louisiana. He lied on his visa application to get into our country. A Pakistani man planned to attack people in New York. Two men in Utah tried to blow up a news truck. In Oklahoma City, an Afghan man pleaded guilty to planning an Election Day terrorist attack.
This is not the America we want to leave for our children. We are just 24 years past the horror of 9/11, but it seems we have forgotten the lesson. Weak leadership and open borders are putting American lives at risk. Chairman Andrew Garbarino of the Homeland Security Committee said it clearly: the Biden administration’s failures in vetting and border control have made us more vulnerable than ever.
Thankfully, we now have an administration that takes this threat seriously. President Trump has always put America first—whether in foreign policy, immigration, or national defense. Now, more than ever, we must support policies that keep our families safe. This means strong borders, tough vetting, and a clear focus on rooting out terrorism before it strikes.
Congress has the duty to give our law enforcement and intelligence agencies the tools they need. But we also have a duty in our homes and communities to remain alert and informed. We cannot return to the days of sleeping while danger grows. The terrorists have not changed. They are still out there, still plotting, and still willing to die to destroy our way of life.
We must return to the values that made this country strong—faith, family, and a fierce love of freedom. That means protecting our borders, securing our communities, and standing up to evil wherever it hides. The threats are real. The time to act is now.
