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Judicial Watch: ISIS eyeing Texas-Mexico border for attack

by Nadia Galindo

Posted: 09.02.2014 at 9:29 PM

As things heat up in the Middle East, many are worried about a terrorist plot along our southern border.

“The office of intelligence from CBP (Customs and Border Protection) says there is no credible threat there in any way of form”, Rep. Henry Cuellar said.

The congressman spoke with Action 4 News via Skype about the possibility of terrorist entering the US through the Rio Grande Valley.

The focus of this concern involves the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, more commonly known as ISIS.
 
Government watchdog group Judicial Watch claims ISIS is operating in Ciudad Juarez, located across the border from El Paso.
 
We contacted several congressmen in the Valley, but only Congressman Cuellar responded.

He could not confirm Judicial Watch’s claims, but he is aware of the threat ISIS poses.

“Without a doubt ISIS is a terror group that’s a little different from what we've seen because this one has funding, has money,” Cuellar explained.

ISIS brutally beheaded  two American journalists, and they have sent a warning to the US to not interne with conflict in the area.  
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johson said the threat of violence against the US remains overseas.
 
In a statement he said, "At present, the US. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are unaware of any specific, credible threat to the US Homeland from ISIL…”
 
He added DHS is "deeply concerned about the current situation in Iraq and Syria.”

Rep. Cuellar said although the threat of terrorist crossing the Mexico us border is low, it doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.

“We have to be more aware of our homeland,” Cuellar told Action 4 News. “They are going to try and strike. Its’ not a matter of are or not we just have to be ready for them."

Although the Valley sees high levels of illegal immigration, Congressman Cuellar believes recruitment of foreign fighters is a bigger concern for the US.

 In some places, such as Minneapolis, Americans are being recruited by extremists to join ISIS.

According to Judicial Watch, intelligence officials have picked up radio chatter in Cuidad Juarez, which allegedly shows ISIS is planning to carry out an attack on the border. The report claims the attack is coming very soon.

Leaders in the US are questioning whether we could be the target of an attack.

British officials have raised their domestic threat level of terrorism to severe.