Terror: The Impact of Policies on Security Threats

Terror-related incidents have increased since the outbreak of the Iran War. The United States has also experienced a noticeable uptick in attempted attacks and federal investigations into extremist activity. While the motives and affiliations of individual attackers vary, a growing number of national security analysts, former intelligence officials, and members of Congress argue that the Biden administration’s border and immigration policies have created conditions that increase the risk of attacks by foreign terror networks. Let’s take a look.

Terror-related Incidents On The Rise

Multiple high‑profile incidents since the start of the Iran conflict have raised alarms among federal and local authorities:

• The Attempted Bombings in New York:
  • Federal prosecutors charged two suspects with attempting to detonate improvised explosive devices outside Gracie Mansion. Authorities stated the suspects were “ISIS‑inspired” and had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
• The Austin Mass‑Shooting Investigation:
  • The Austin attack remains under investigation, but the FBI confirmed the presence of “indicators… that indicate a potential nexus to terrorism.”
• March 12, 2026 Terror Attacks:
  • The FBI is investigating the Michigan synagogue attack as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community,” which places it within the federal terrorism framework, even though a final motive has not been publicly confirmed.
  • A gunman opened fire on the Old Dominion University (ODU) campus, killing one person and injuring two others before being subdued and killed by ROTC students. The shooter was a former National Guard member who had previously served prison time for attempting to aid ISIS.
• Increased Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) Activity Nationwide:
  • The JTTF has opened a higher‑than‑average number of investigations into individuals with suspected ties to foreign extremist groups since the Iran conflict escalated.
• Border‑Related Terror Watchlist Encounters:
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported a record number of encounters with individuals in the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database (TSD) at both the southern and northern borders. According to CBP’s publicly released data, the number of terror watchlist encounters at the southern border has increased significantly over the past three years.

While not every case results in an attack, the pattern is clear: terror‑linked activity is rising, and federal agencies are devoting more resources to monitoring potential threats.

Why Critics Say Border Policy Is a Key Factor

Critics of the Biden administration argue that the rise in terror‑related incidents is not coincidental. They point to several policy decisions that, in their view, have weakened national security amid heightened global instability.

• Record Levels of Unvetted Migration. CBP has reported millions of encounters at the southern border since 2021, including:
  • Individuals from regions with active terror networks
  • Migrants from countries with limited intelligence‑sharing agreements
  • A growing number of “special interest aliens” — individuals whose travel patterns raise security concerns
  • Former DHS officials have warned that the sheer volume of arrivals makes thorough vetting difficult.
• The Rise of “Gotaways.”
  • CBP estimates that hundreds of thousands of individuals have entered the country without being apprehended.
  • Critics argue that hostile actors — including foreign intelligence assets and terror operatives — could be among them.
• Strain on Federal Counterterrorism Resources.
  • The FBI has acknowledged that the volume of border‑related leads had increased dramatically under President Biden.
  • In testimony before Congress, former FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of “a heightened threat environment” and noted that the combination of global conflict and domestic vulnerabilities creates “unique challenges.
• Exploitation by Foreign Adversaries.
  • Iran‑aligned groups, ISIS affiliates, and other extremist organizations have historically sought to exploit migration routes.
  • With the Iran War intensifying geopolitical tensions, critics argue that the U.S. should have tightened — not loosened — border controls.

Going Forward

The war with Iran must end quickly. The original goals have been mostly met, and while the use of precision bombs has limited civilian casualties, we are still seeing civilian deaths. This is a separate issue from the rise in terrorism since the war began.

The rise in terror‑linked incidents in the United States since the Iran War began has reignited a national conversation about border security, immigration policy, and counterterrorism preparedness. Critics argue that the Biden administration’s approach created vulnerabilities that foreign extremist groups can exploit. Supporters counter that the issue is more complex and that border encounters demonstrate effective screening.

What is clear is that the threat environment has changed — and the United States must adapt. Whether through policy reform, increased intelligence coordination, or enhanced border security measures, the stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction could be severe.

The Catholic View

Every act of terror is, at its core, an assault on the dignity of people made in the image of God.

Jesus consistently confronts violence that targets the vulnerable:

• “All who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52)
• “Whatever you did to the least of these… you did to me” (Matthew 25:40)

Terrorism is the opposite of the Kingdom Jesus proclaims. It is fear‑based domination, and Jesus exposes fear as a false ruler. Jesus forms a people who live in such a way that terror cannot take root in their hearts, their neighborhoods, or their imaginations.

Please share your thoughts about this article in the “Comments” section.

Peace

If you like this article, you might enjoy:

The Birthright Citizenship Debate
Operation Epic Fury: A Just War?
Lent: A Season of Holy Awareness