Following Texas and California, the state of New York ranks as the third state most significantly affected by the challenges of uncontrolled illegal immigration. This issue was once again highlighted earlier this month when border patrol in Texas apprehended a man who was reportedly headed to New York with the intention of making a bomb and kill people “that was not Muslim”. Fortunately, he was arrested, but the incident once again underscores the importance of properly securing the border.
Uncontrolled illegal immigration
In response to insufficient support from the federal government, Texas initiated Operation Lone Star more than three years ago to curb illegal immigration. The influx of migrants at the border has surged in the last few years, reaching a record high last December, marking an unprecedented peak in the country’s history. California has similarly been impacted, with cities along the southern border struggling to manage the increasing migrant population in recent months.
The impacts
The influx of migrants places significant strain on cities, states, and communities, imposing financial burdens and logistical challenges in providing assistance. Beyond the economic impact, there are concerns about health risks and the assertion by Texas authorities that drug traffickers are exploiting the border crisis to smuggle drugs into the country. New York, despite being far away from the border, is grappling with the effects of the migrant crisis, notably in New York City, where the arrival of thousands has posed considerable challenges.
Public safety threat
Public safety remains a paramount concern for authorities, once again underscored by a recent incident at the Texas border. According to a report by the New York Post from last weekend, citing an exclusively obtained document, the Border Patrol arrested a Lebanese migrant attempting to cross the border. The individual intended to travel to New York, and subsequently other states, with plans to kill people in a bombing attack(s).
Caught near El Paso
Basel Bassel Ebbadi, 22, was caught by the US Border Patrol on March 9 near El Paso, Texas. While in custody, he was asked what he was doing in the US, to which he replied, “I’m going to try to make a bomb,” according to a Border Patrol document exclusively obtained by The Post.
False claims
But Ebbadi later claimed in an interview that he had been trying to flee Lebanon and Hamas because he “didn’t want to kill people” and said “once you’re in, you can never get out,” according to internal US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents. Ebbadi, during a detailed interview following his capture, admitted to undergoing training with Hezbollah for seven years and then spending another four years actively guarding weapon storage sites, the documents show.
He mentioned that his training was centered around “jihad” and killing people “that was not Muslim,”.
No documents
When Ebbadi arrived in the US, he didn’t have any identification because, as per the ICE records, he was robbed at knifepoint in Costa Rica. He also confessed to using a fake name and birth date in several countries, including Sweden, Ecuador—where he claimed his father was living—and Panama, all within the same year. His plan was to first reach New York and then travel across the US. However, upon his arrival, he was immediately isolated and underwent an interview with the Tactical Terrorism Response Team due to his threats.
Set for deportation
Documents indicate plans for Ebbadi’s deportation from the US, although it was unclear to which country he would be sent. In fiscal year 2022, border officials reported 98 encounters with individuals on the terror watchlist at the US borders, north and south. This number nearly doubled to 172 in fiscal year 2023, ending September 30. In the first four months of 2024 alone, 59 individuals have been caught, based on federal records. The count of terror watchlist encounters was only 30 from fiscal years 2017 to 2021. However, after this period, the criteria for being listed expanded, though these criteria have not been publicly disclosed.
