U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter said Wednesday he has information that more than 10 militants with ties to the terror group known as the Islamic State have been caught at the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, a claim that was immediately denied by U.S. security officials and Mexican officials.
“A well-placed source informed Congressman Hunter that foreign nationals with known association to IS were apprehended along the Texas-Mexico border," said Joe Kasper, a spokesman for Hunter, R-Alpine. "Beyond that, we confirmed that every day, border officials are apprehending foreign nationals from countries of security interest, including Syria. And it should concern every American, whether in Texas or beyond, that these individuals are getting that close to the border in the first place."
In an appearance on Fox News Channel Tuesday night, Hunter cited an anonymous source in the Border Patrol for his information.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials said Wednesday there was no truth to the reports that terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State, which also goes by the names of ISIL and ISIS, have penetrated the United States via Mexico.
“The suggestion that individuals who have ties to ISIL have been apprehended at the Southwest border is categorically false, and not supported by any credible intelligence or the facts on the ground,” said Marsha Catron, a DHS spokeswoman. “DHS continues to have no credible intelligence to suggest terrorist organizations are actively plotting to cross the southwest border.”
Tom Vinger, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, also denied Hunter's claim.
San Diego Union-Tribune