The official did not specify whether any or one of the persons was currently in US custody. The official said that the fact that the Ministry of Justice criminal prosecution is justified by the fact that someone with a tertiary affiliation, does not constitute an offense punishable by prosecution, but that it is sufficient to ensure that the person concerned does not reach the United States United States to continue repatriation.
The number represents a very small percentage of known or suspected terrorists who attempted to enter or travel to the United States during FY 2017.
The DHS said – and recalled in a report released Monday night – that 3,755 known or suspected terrorists had attempted to enter the United States during fiscal 2017. These figures, however, relate to all points of interest. Entry and visa applications in the world, not just at the southern border.
CNN reported that this number is misleading when it is provided in the context of the southern border, as it is mainly about people who were prevented from entering the United States when they applied for a visa or sought to travel to the United States, including by air.
The official and DHS also distinguish between individuals on the terrorism watch list and what the Ministry calls "foreigners of special interest" from hostile or terrorist countries and taking irregular routes to the southern border.
Nielsen said that about 3,000 "foreigners with a special interest" arrived at the southern border last year.
![Pence said that the House White examined Trump's ability to declare an emergency at the border [19659010] Pence declares White House examines Trump's ability to declare state of emergency at the border](http://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/190104154018-donald-trump-january-4-2019-03-large-169.jpg)
