IS militants entered U.S. via Mexico, Claimed a spokesman for Rep Duncan Hunter

DALLAS (TIP): U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter said Wednesday, October 8, he has information that more than 10 militants with ties to the terror group known as the Islamic State have been caught at the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, a claim that was immediately denied by U.S. security officials and Mexican officials.

“A well-placed source informed Congressman Hunter that foreign nationals with known association to IS were apprehended along the Texas-Mexico border,” said Joe Kasper, a spokesman for Hunter, R-Alpine. “Beyond that, we confirmed that every day, border officials are apprehending foreign nationals from countries of security interest, including Syria. And it should concern every American, whether in Texas or beyond, that these individuals are getting that close to the border in the first place.”

In an appearance on Fox News Channel Tuesday night, Hunter cited an anonymous source in the Border Patrol for his information.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials said Wednesday there was no truth to the reports that terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State, which also goes by the names of ISIL and ISIS, have penetrated the United States via Mexico.

“The suggestion that individuals who have ties to ISIL have been apprehended at the Southwest border is categorically false, and not supported by any credible intelligence or the facts on the ground,” said Marsha Catron, a DHS spokeswoman. “DHS continues to have no credible intelligence to suggest terrorist organizations are actively plotting to cross the southwest border.”

Tom Vinger, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, also denied Hunter’s claim. “The department does not have any information to confirm that statement,” Vinger said.

The Mexican embassy called Hunter’s suggestion “categorically false.”

“We reaffirm that those declarations are neither based on real events, nor on credible evidence or intelligence. Mexican authorities have no indication whatsoever of the presence of groups or individuals of Islamic extremists in Mexico. Authorities from Mexico and the United States maintain permanent communication and continually exchange information, and there is nothing to even suggest what Congressman Duncan Hunter stated,” the embassy said in a statement emailed late Wednesday evening.

“The Government of Mexico is constantly working to strengthen its security and justice institutions in order to provide peace and well-being to our citizens, and we take all measures within our reach to impede any terrorist activity in our territory in compliance with existing law and our international obligations.”

Several weeks ago, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said he heard reports of people affiliated with a terror group attempting to enter Texas. However, Johnson added at the time, “I don’t know the accuracy of the reports or how much credence to give them.”

Asked if DHS has since investigated and disproved those reports, Catron didn’t immediately respond.

Also Wednesday, Judicial Watch, which identifies itself as a conservative, nonpartisan watchdog organization, published a claim on its website that four people with ties to terror were captured this week. “Sources tell Judicial Watch that four (people) have been apprehended in the last 36 hours by federal authorities and the Texas Department of Public Safety in McAllen and Pharr” in South Texas, the organization wrote on its website.