"In San Diego, we saw a dramatic rise in Significant Interest Aliens (SIAs), individuals with notable ties to terrorism," former San Diego Sector Chief Patrol official Aaron Heitke testified to the House Homeland Security Committee.
"Before this administration, the San Diego sector averaged 10 to 15 SIAs annually. After news spread that the border was easier to cross, that number surged to over 100 SIAs in 2022, well over 100 in 2023, and even more this year," he cautioned. "And these figures only account for those we apprehended."
Heitke stated he was instructed not to disclose details about the rise in SIAs.
"I was informed that I could not share any information about the increase in SIAs or discuss any of the arrests. The administration aimed to assure the public that there was no threat at the border," he said.
Fox News Digital contacted the Department of Homeland Security for a response to Heitke's comments.
The comments were made during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing titled "A Country Without Borders: How Biden-Harris’ Open-Borders Policies Have Undermined Our Safety and Security."
Immigration is a key issue in the 2024 election, with Republicans attributing the crisis to Biden administration policies and the reversal of Trump-era measures.
"As we witness Biden and Harris’ ongoing inaction regarding this crisis, we must ask — why? Why did they allow this situation to develop and why do they permit it to persist?" Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., stated during the committee session.
Heitke also informed the committee that he released illegal aliens "by the hundreds" each day and that flights were arranged to transport migrants from San Diego to Texas, costing about $150,000 per flight. He further testified that he had to close San Diego traffic checkpoints to redirect resources to the border, emphasizing that these checkpoints are essential for intercepting drugs like fentanyl.
Democrats and the administration have accused Republicans of not supporting funding and reform bills, including a bipartisan Senate bill introduced this year. They argue that recent actions by the administration are effectively reducing border encounters and enhancing border security.
"You likely won't hear this from the other side, but border encounters have dropped to their lowest levels in years since the president's June 4 proclamation. Encounters at the border and ports of entry have decreased by 55%, with Border Patrol reporting the fewest encounters since September 2020," said ranking member Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., during the hearing.