The former Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) for the San Diego Sector told the Homeland Security Committee that the Biden administration instructed border patrol agents to conceal information relating to the number of special interest aliens (SIAs) entering the United States.
Aaron Heitke told the Committee that in 2022 and 2023, Border Patrol saw an “exponential increase in significant interest aliens” in San Diego.
“These are aliens with significant ties to terrorism. Prior to this administration, the San Diego sector averaged 10 to 15 SIA arrests per year,” he explained. “Once word was out, the border was far easier to cross. San Diego went to over 100 SIAs in 2022, well over that in 2023, and even more than that registered this year. These are only the ones we caught.”
“At the time I was told I could not release any information on this increase in SIAs or mention any of the arrests. The administration was trying to convince the public there was no threat at the border.”
During the hearing, Heitke was asked if he had information on the millions of “known gotaways” that have entered the United States. He responded, “None.”
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) clarified by asking, “Zero information of millions of people, some of which have found to be on the terror watch list, we have zero information?”
Heitke said, “Correct.”
