Congressman Langworthy Introduces SAFER at the Border Act to Stop Terrorists at the Border; Slams Migrant Crime in New York State

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy hosted a press conference following the arrest of a Peruvian gang leader and 23-time murderer in the Southern Tier, who was released by the Biden-Harris Administration at the Southern Border. During the press conference, he introduced the Safeguarding Americans from Extreme Risk (SAFER) at the Border Act to block the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from paroling migrants who are designated as Known and Suspected Terrorists (KST) or Special Interest Aliens (SIA). 

This legislation would also give states standing in federal court to sue DHS if their failure to adhere to the parole prohibition requirements causes harm to the State or its residents.

“My constituents are sick and tired of murderers and terrorists popping up across New York State, threatening the safety and security of our communities because of the reckless open-border policies of the Biden-Harris Administration. The fact that a 23-time murderer was able to walk freely in our backyard after being caught and released at the southern border is proof of how broken our immigration system has become under this administration,” said Congressman Langworthy. “A country without borders is no country at all, and we can’t allow this lawlessness to continue. 

He continued, “The SAFER at the Border Act would curb the Biden-Harris Administration’s dangerous abuse of parole authority, which has allowed over a million illegal migrants—including those from countries with terrorist ties like Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria—to enter the U.S. unchecked. We’ve already seen the consequences of this lawlessness. Just recently, eight individuals with suspected ties to ISIS were arrested after crossing the southern border and entering our cities, using this administration’s loopholes.”

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Watch a livestream of the press conference.

Specifically, this legislation would:

• Prohibit DHS from granting parole to any migrant designated as a Known or Suspected Terrorist (KST) or Special Interest Alien (SIA). This closes a critical loophole that has allowed dangerous individuals from terrorist-affiliated countries to enter the United States.

• Define “Known Terrorist,” “Suspected Terrorist,” and “Special Interest Alien” in U.S. immigration law. These definitions will ensure that individuals posing a national security risk are clearly identified and blocked from exploiting the immigration system.

• Provide states the right to sue DHS if it violates the parole prohibition. The SAFER at the Border Act empowers state attorneys general to take DHS to court if their failure to enforce these rules leads to harm, ensuring accountability.

• Mandate expedited judicial review for state lawsuits. This ensures that states can quickly seek injunctions against DHS if dangerous individuals are paroled into the country in violation of this law.

The full text of this legislation can be found here.

This legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Neal Dunn (FL-02), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Greg Pence (IN-06), Randy Weber (TX-14), Andy Harris (MD-01), Keith Self (TX-03), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Andy Barr (KY-06), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Mike Collins (GA-10), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Sam Graves (MO-06), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) and Brandon Williams (NY-22), and Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04).

“It should be common sense: if you're an illegal immigrant that is designated as Known and Suspected Terrorists or Special Interest Aliens, you shouldn't be released on parole to roam freely in our country,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “With 85% of all suspected terrorists who attempt to enter the U.S. illegally doing so through the Northern Border, it's crucial for both our community's safety and national security that these individuals are detained once apprehended. I am eager to support the SAFER at the Border Act to ensure these dangerous individuals are kept out of our country and out of our communities.”

“President Biden and Border Czar Kamala Harris’ disastrous immigration policies not only reward those who break our laws and enter our country illegally, they also have deadly consequences,” said Congressman Vern Buchanan. “I’m pleased to help introduce this crucial new legislation, which will ensure that dangerous illegal aliens, who have potential ties to terrorist organizations, do not have an open gateway through our nation’s border. I thank Rep. Langworthy for his leadership on this important issue.”

“It should go without saying that terrorists and other nefarious actors should never be paroled into our country—but under the Biden-Harris Administration, this is exactly what has been happening. It’s time we hold the Administration’s feet to the fire to secure our notion. I am proud to support this legislation,” said Congressman Randy Weber.

“Dangerous individuals who are here illegally should be immediately deported—not released into America by the Biden-Harris parole program.  This legislation is an important step towards reigning in this lawless administration and protecting Americans,” said Congressman Keith Self.

“The Biden-Harris administration has completely failed in its responsibility to protect the American people from the dangers of an open border,” said Congressman Dunn. “Countless Americans have been victimized by illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds who were caught and released by Border Patrol under orders from Administration officials. Since Biden, Harris, and Mayorkas have refused to act, Congress must intervene. I commend Congressman Langworthy’s efforts and urge all my colleagues to join us in taking swift action to keep our communities safe.”

The SAFER at the Border Act also has a companion in the U.S. Senate led by Montana Senator Steve Daines and cosponsored by Senators Ted Budd (NC), Mike Rounds (SD), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Ted Cruz (TX), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Eric Schmitt (MO) and Marco Rubio (FL).

“Thanks to President Biden and “Border Czar” Vice President Harris, criminals and suspected terrorists have been paroled into the country. Under this administration, our national security is at risk. The SAFER at the Border Act is crucial to help protect Americans against further harm,” Senator Daines said.

This legislation enjoys the support of outside groups, including Heritage Action, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).

“Border security is national security, and our open southern border has significantly increased our Nation’s vulnerability to terrorist attacks. An unprecedented number of terrorists, special interest aliens, and cartel members have exploited the Biden Administration’s failed border strategy and been released into American communities. We must reverse course from these disastrous policies, secure our border, and stop these national security and public safety threats from entering our Nation. The Safeguarding Americans from Extremist Risk (SAFER) at the Border Act empowers the Department of Homeland Security to protect American families,” said Chad Wolf, former acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Executive Director of the America First Policy Institute.

"Under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, a record number of terror watchlist suspects have been encountered at our southern border. Some have even been released into American communities, including at least one with ISIS ties who used the unlawful Biden-Harris CBP One app and mass-parole program. Industrial scale abuse of emergency parole authority without the consent of Congress is bad enough, but using it to bring bad actors into the homeland is inexcusable, preventable, and terrifying. We cannot afford to wait until some horrific attack happens on U.S. soil. Heritage Action supports this legislation and applauds Rep. Langworthy for working to protect Americans from the Biden-Harris border crisis," Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President, Heritage Action.

“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. Suspected terrorists are being encountered at our borders in record numbers, special interest aliens are flooding into the country, and this administration is asleep at the wheel, putting the interests of illegal aliens over protecting our national security. Limiting the DHS Secretary from paroling aliens designated as terrorists, suspected terrorists, or special interest aliens is a commonsense step, and so, too, is ensuring that state officials have the right to hold the federal government accountable for failing to detain and remove illegal aliens. FAIR applauds Senator Daines for putting forward this crucial bill to help end the Biden Administration’s abuse of our immigration laws and ensure the safety of American citizens,” said Joe Chatham, Director of Government Relations, FAIR.