El Paso, Texas – Border Patrol agents intercepted a Lebanese migrant earlier this month near El Paso, Texas, who claimed affiliation with Hezbollah and expressed intentions to travel to New York to create a bomb, a Customs and Border Protection official revealed Monday. The identity of the individual, who is now in U.S. custody, remains undisclosed as an ongoing investigation into him and his alleged affiliations progresses.
The individual, identified as Basel Bassel Ebbadi, 22, was apprehended on March 9 while attempting to cross the border in Texas. According to reports, he admitted to receiving training from Hezbollah and explicitly stated his plans to construct a bomb upon reaching New York. Authorities are treating the situation with utmost seriousness, emphasizing the importance of national security and public safety in cases like these.
Hezbollah, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department, has been at the center of heightened concerns surrounding individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist attempting to enter the U.S. via the southern border. Recent data released by the Department of Homeland Security underscored a worrisome trend of encounters with such individuals. In fiscal year 2023 alone, 160 migrants matching identities on the Terrorist Screening Dataset were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border, marking a significant increase from the previous fiscal year.
The threat posed by individuals with potential terrorist ties seeking entry into the country remains a top priority for border security agencies, with continued vigilance and preventative measures in place to address such risks. The specific details of how the man apprehended on March 9 fits into this broader landscape of security threats are not yet clear, underscoring the complex challenges faced by border enforcement officials in safeguarding the nation’s borders.
As the investigation into the Lebanese migrant continues, authorities are focused on gathering additional information to determine the extent of any potential threat posed by his alleged ties to a known terrorist organization. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts required to protect national security interests amidst evolving threats in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
Overall, the encounter with the Lebanese migrant highlights the critical role of border security in safeguarding the nation from external threats, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and robust security measures to address emerging challenges effectively. Authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the safety and security of the United States, with ongoing efforts to identify and mitigate potential risks posed by individuals with ties to terrorist organizations.