Congressman Williams Introduces Legislation Requiring the Screening of Migrants Against Terror Watchlist

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) introduced the Identifying Potential Terrorist at the Border Act of 2025. This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to screen and detain all individuals attempting to cross the border until it is determined that the migrant is not a match with an individual listed on the Federal Terror Watchlist.

“​​Under Biden, terrorist encounters at United States ports of entry skyrocketed, putting American communities in danger,” said Congressman Williams. “My bill requires CBP to screen and detain all individuals attempting to cross the border until a match is returned on that migrant, giving the Trump administration another tool to safeguard our nation. Law and order is back in America, and we must be aware of who is in our country as Republicans fight to reverse the consequences of Biden’s deadly open border policies.”

Read the bill text here.

Background:

• Currently it is practice but not law that CBP screen migrants against the terror database.
• During Trump’s first term, encounters were less than 6 for an entire fiscal year.
• Under the Biden administration, encounters jumped to the 100’s.

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Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.