Investigative Group

DHS Officials Tell Senate That ‘Some’ Caravan Members Are Potential National Security Threats

Rep. Chuck Grassley asks U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Deputy Commissioner Ronald D. Vitiello questions during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration, during a hearing entitled "Building America's Trust through Border Security: Progress on the Southern Border" in Washington, D.C., May 23, 2017. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Photo by Glenn Fawcett | By U.S. Customs and Border Protection (170523-H-NI589-0415) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Officials with the State Department and Department of Homeland Security told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that “some” members of the Central American caravan have histories of violent crime and have been identified as potentially posing a threat to national security.

Some members of the 6,000-plus person caravan hail from “countries other than those located in Central America, including some from Western and Central Asia and North Africa,” according to Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, who released a statement following the briefing.

The briefing was provided in response to a request on Oct. 30 from Grassley, who requested information about any potential security threats posed by the caravan, which originated in the Central American countries of Guatemala and Honduras.

The caravan has become a polarizing issue in American politics, with President Donald Trump ordering thousands of troops to the southern U.S. border in anticipation of what he has called an “invasion.”

Democrats have accused Trump and Republicans of dramatizing the caravan threat for political purposes. They’ve also argued that the migrants are seeking asylum and have a right to seek legal protections once they reach points of entry.

Grassley, an Iowa Republican, said the committee had received information that “several members of the first caravan have significant criminal histories, including assault and sexual misconduct against a child, and membership in the MS-13 gang.”

State and Homeland Security officials said, according to Grassley:

• “Some members of the caravans have criminal histories, including offenses like assault, gang affiliation and sex crimes;

• Some members of the caravans are nationals of countries other than those located in Central America, including some from Western and Central Asia and North Africa;

• Some members of the caravans are considered ‘special interest aliens,’ meaning they have been identified as potentially posing a threat to national security;

• Some members of the caravans have used violence against unarmed officials while traveling through Mexico, including throwing glass bottles, Molotov cocktails, and knives.”

Grassley did not provide additional details about what State and DHS officials revealed about the caravan, including how many individuals fit into each threat category.

A spokesman for the committee did not respond to a request for comment.

“I appreciate the engagement of both the State Department and DHS officials who quickly responded to my request from last week,” Grassley said in a statement.

“Keeping Congress apprised of any information relating to national security threats with respect to such a large group of individuals attempting to enter the country remains critically important,” he added. “This information will help the committee address the needs of legitimate asylum-seekers who need humanitarian relief.”

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