Former Border Patrol Chief Aaron Heitke has come forward with serious allegations, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of intentionally covering up the border crisis, particularly the growing threat posed by migrants with potential ties to terrorism. During his testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee, Heitke described how he was explicitly instructed not to share information with the media regarding the escalating number of apprehensions at the southern border, including the detention of individuals from nations linked to terrorism.
Heitke, who was in charge of the San Diego sector of the U.S. Border Patrol before his retirement, testified that agents in his region were intercepting an unprecedented number of "Special Interest Aliens" (SIAs)—individuals coming from countries with known terrorism concerns. He claimed that, under previous administrations, around 10 to 15 of these individuals were caught annually. That number skyrocketed to over 100 in 2022, with the trend continuing in 2023. However, Heitke revealed that he was directed to keep these arrests under wraps, an order he says came directly from the Biden administration. He expressed frustration that this effort to minimize the border crisis was jeopardizing national security, alleging that the administration was actively downplaying the risks posed by terrorists crossing into the United States.
🇺🇸FMR BORDER PATROL CHIEF: I'VE NEVER HAD ONE CONVERSATION WITH BIDEN OR KAMALA
Raul Ortiz, Retired Border Patrol Chief under Biden:
"I've never had one conversation with the President or the Vice President, for that matter.
And so I was the Chief of the Border Patrol. I… pic.twitter.com/PHazFSH67w
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 27, 2024
The testimony is a continuation of long-standing accusations from conservative figures who argue that the Biden administration’s border policies are ineffective and dangerous. Since taking office, the administration has rolled back several Trump-era policies, including the "Remain in Mexico" policy that required asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. for their court dates. Critics like Heitke claim that these actions have only worsened the crisis, allowing a massive influx of illegal migrants into the country without sufficient screening or deportation measures.
According to Heitke, the Biden administration's focus was more on public relations than addressing the real dangers at the border. He described instances where migrants, including SIAs, were transported out of public view. In one example, he noted that the administration had set up flights to quietly move illegal immigrants from San Diego to Texas, where they were released into communities ill-equipped to handle the surge. Each flight, costing taxpayers $150,000, was designed to keep the growing crisis hidden from the public eye,.
Retired Border Patrol Chief Aaron Heitke, expressed frustrations over administrative constraints imposed by the Biden-Harris administration, which hindered his ability to tackle significant security risks at the U.S. border. #KamalaBorderCzar pic.twitter.com/3W4wp4Ticx
— Conservative News Feed (@C_N_F__on__X) September 20, 2024
Heitke also highlighted the sheer scale of the border crisis, stating that federal authorities apprehended over 9 million migrants during the Biden administration’s first two years. Of those, an estimated 5.3 million were allowed to remain in the U.S., with many being released into communities across border states. He expressed concern over the strain this placed on local governments, hospitals, and law enforcement, as many migrants required extensive resources that were already in short supply.
These revelations come as the Biden administration continues to face heavy criticism from conservative lawmakers and border states, particularly Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Abbott has been vocal about the federal government’s failure to address the crisis and has implemented his own measures, such as busing migrants to Democrat-led cities as a form of protest. Meanwhile, critics argue that the administration’s lax enforcement policies have incentivized more migrants to attempt to cross the border illegally.
As the southern border remains a hot-button issue ahead of the 2024 elections, the administration has come under increased scrutiny. The House Republicans, who have vowed to prioritize border security, are likely to continue investigating the Biden administration’s handling of immigration and may even pursue legal action to compel a shift in policy.
This revelation underscores a growing concern among critics of the Biden-Harris administration: that political motivations are taking precedence over national security and the safety of American citizens. With the crisis at the border showing no signs of abating, it remains to be seen how the administration will respond to these mounting accusations.
