(NewsNation) — Customs and Border Protection officers are being warned to look out for a Palestinian who poses a national security risk at the border.
CBP sources told NewsNation a “be on the lookout” bulletin has been issued for Issa Musa Musa Darfarhat, a Palestinian national who may be attempting to enter the U.S.
Agents are being told to exercise extreme caution and immediately secure Darfarhat if they encounter him. The BOLO shows several variations in his appearance, and agents are told to have Darfarhat take all items out of his pocket, including trash, and contact the tactical terrorist response team.
Sources confirmed Darfarhat is from the West Bank and is a positive match for the terrorist screening database. Agents are currently keeping a close eye on the El Paso Sector, specifically an area near Santa Theresa, New Mexico.
The government has been watching Darfarhat since at least July, and he has been refused entry to the U.S. multiple times.
The agency’s warning comes after sources confirmed another Palestinian migrant, whose name appears on a terrorist watch list for allegedly previously using “explosives/firearms,” was caught at the southern border on Monday.
The number of encounters with people on watchlists has gone up over the years.
The U.S. Border Patrol reported 172 such encounters in fiscal year 2023, up from 100 in 2022 and 16 in 2021. The watchlists include known or suspected terrorists as well as their associates.
At least 99 people from the FBI terror watchlist crossed into the country illegally and were released after being apprehended by border agents last year, according to Department of Homeland Security data obtained by the House Judiciary Committee.
This latest alert, however, did not reach all areas of the southern border. Agents in the Del Rio Sector told NewsNation they didn’t get the alert, which they say is concerning because they should know if someone like this could cross in their area.
NewsNation reached out to CBP for comment and has not heard back.