Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines has introduced the “Safeguarding Americans From Extremist Risk (SAFER) at the Border Act,” which aims to prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from paroling migrants identified as Known and Suspected Terrorists or Special Interest Aliens. The bill comes in response to concerns over national security, following reports that over one million illegal migrants have been paroled into the country under President Biden's administration, some of whom were later arrested for potential terrorist ties.

“Joe Biden and Senate Democrats’ refusal to secure the southern border has resulted in the loss of American lives, and as long as migrants with criminal records and potential terrorist ties are being let into the country, our national security is at risk. This bill will help protect our nation against the very real and serious consequences of Joe Biden’s open southern border,” Daines stated.

The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Cruz (Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

Former acting Secretary of DHS Chad Wolf supported the legislation, stating: “Border security is national security and our open southern border has significantly increased our Nation’s vulnerability to terrorist attacks... We must reverse course from these disastrous policies, secure our border, and stop these national security and public safety threats from entering our Nation."

Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President of Heritage Action, also endorsed the act: “Under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we have seen a record number of terror watchlist encounters at our southern border... We cannot afford to wait until some horrific attack happens on U.S. soil.”

Grant Newman from the Immigration Accountability Project added his support: "The public is right to be outraged by the Biden Administration’s release of millions of illegal aliens into the interior... This has to stop before it is too late."

Joe Chatham from FAIR echoed similar sentiments: “As a result of the Biden Administration’s catch-and-release policies and abuse of parole, dangerous aliens are more likely than ever before to slip through the cracks... Limiting the DHS Secretary from paroling aliens designated as terrorists... is a commonsense step.”

The SAFER at the Border Act has received endorsements from several organizations including Immigration Accountability Project (IAP), America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), Heritage Action, and NumbersUSA.