Former Border Patrol Chief Aaron Heitke: Biden-Harris Administration Covered Up Arrests of Terror-Linked Illegal Border Crossers
In explosive testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security last week, retired San Diego Border Patrol Chief Aaron Heitke revealed that the Biden-Harris administration directed him not to disclose arrests of illegal border crossers identified as “Significant Interest Aliens” (SIAs) with ties to terrorism. Heitke’s testimony provides a stark critique of the administration’s border policies, which he argues have jeopardized national security and allowed drug smuggling and human trafficking to thrive.
Alarming Revelations of Terror-Linked Border Crossings
Heitke, who served over 25 years in the Border Patrol, testified that throughout his tenure, the number of SIAs — individuals with suspected terrorist ties — surged under the Biden-Harris administration. “Prior to the current administration, the San Diego sector averaged 10 to 15 SIAs per year,” Heitke noted. But during 2022 and 2023, those numbers skyrocketed, and Heitke was ordered to suppress the details.
“These are only the ones we caught,” Heitke told lawmakers. “At the time, I was told I could not release any information on this increase in size or mention any of the arrests. The administration was trying to convince the public there was no threat at the border.”
Chaos at the Border: Deteriorating Safety and Security
Heitke’s testimony paints a dire picture of the Biden-Harris border policies, which he claims have left the U.S. vulnerable to security threats, including terrorism and drug trafficking. “The only true consequence we have to slow down and discourage people from coming into the United States illegally is sending them back to their country of origin,” Heitke said, adding that the administration drastically reduced its efforts to deport illegal entrants.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, Heitke observed a “steady decrease” in the number of countries to which the U.S. could deport individuals, either through neglect or deliberate policy choices. This, combined with cuts to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) detention funding, resulted in an overwhelming number of illegal entrants being released back into the U.S.
“The fact that so many illegal aliens are being released into the United States spread worldwide very quickly. As this happened, the number of Border Patrol encounters with illegal crossers increased exponentially,” Heitke testified. He described a chaotic situation in which Border Patrol agents were unable to fully monitor illegal entries, particularly in sectors like Texas and Arizona, where “gotaways” — those who crossed without being detected — were uncountable.
Drugs Pouring into the U.S.
Heitke’s testimony also highlighted the devastating impact of the administration’s policies on drug interdiction efforts, particularly the flow of fentanyl and methamphetamine into the U.S. He revealed that over 80% of the country’s fentanyl and meth seizures happen in the San Diego area, but enforcement was severely hampered during his tenure due to resources being diverted to process illegal entrants.
“With little enforcement at the border, these drugs were coming through in mass,” Heitke said. During his last year in San Diego, he noted that the price of fentanyl pills dropped from $10 to as low as $0.25 due to the influx. Heitke also testified that he had to shut down crucial San Diego traffic checkpoints — key for intercepting drug shipments — because resources were allocated to the administration’s “catch-and-release” program.
The Administration’s Last-Minute Shift
In recent months, there has been a slight decline in illegal border crossings, but Heitke argues this is due to political pressure as the 2024 election approaches. “While current numbers of aliens crossing our border are lower in comparison in recent months, there’s a reason for this,” Heitke stated. “After nearly four years, this administration finally started to ask Mexico for help in slowing down the traffic through their country.”
Heitke’s testimony, along with similar statements from former border officials, reflects growing concerns about the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the border crisis. With record numbers of illegal crossings, increased drug smuggling, and alarming security risks, critics argue that the administration has failed to protect the safety and security of the American people.
As election season ramps up, border security is likely to remain a contentious issue, with Heitke’s testimony serving as a stark reminder of the challenges that remain at the U.S.-Mexico border.