Lankford, Sinema Call for Answers from Top Admin Officials on Jordanian Nationals Attempt to Enter Quantico

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) today sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and FBI Director Christopher Wray to request a briefing and information regarding two Jordanian nationals who attempted to enter Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. 

The Senators wrote, “These incidents raise serious concerns about our national security and about the effects of the ongoing border crisis on our federal government’s capacity to protect against threats to the Homeland from hostile nations and foreign nationals. As the Senate’s primary oversight committee, we request a briefing from the relevant components of the US Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Defense, and Federal Bureau of Investigation by not later than 90 days after receipt of this letter.”

View the letter here or below. 

Dear Secretary Mayorkas, Secretary Austin, and Director Wray:

We write today to request a briefing and information regarding the recent incident involving two Jordanian nationals who attempted to enter Quantico. Public reports indicate that the two Jordanian nationals posed as Amazon delivery drivers in order to gain access to Marine Corps Base Quantico. A Wall Street Journal report from last year found that attempted base incursions involving foreign nationals have occurred “as many as 100 times in recent years.”

These incidents raise serious concerns about our national security and about the effects of the ongoing border crisis on our federal government’s capacity to protect against threats to the Homeland from hostile nations and foreign nationals. As the Senate’s primary oversight committee, we request a briefing from the relevant components of the US Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Defense, and Federal Bureau of Investigation by not later than 90 days after receipt of this letter. In addition, we ask that the briefing address the following questions:

1. What was the immigration status, if any, of the two Jordanian nationals?
2. Did the Jordanian nationals have ties to Hamas? What city or community are they from?
3. How and when did the Jordanian nationals enter the US? Was the federal government aware of any derogatory information on either individual prior to their arrival or during their time in the US?
4. Were there any dangerous materials on their person or in their vehicle?
5. How often have incidents like this occurred, and what is the immigration status, if any, of foreign nationals who have been involved in the nearly 100 incidents “in recent years”?
6. Are there other sensitive or secure facilities where similar incidents have occurred? If so, where and how often?
7. What are the reasons the Departments and Bureau have identified for these incursions, and what impact have these incursions had on our national security?
8. What steps are the Departments and Bureau taking to ensure this situation does not happen again?

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to receiving your response by not later than 5:00pm, June 12, 2024.

Sincerely,

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