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The threat from terror groups like Hamas might not be limited to the Middle East.

Former counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan Sales told the House Homeland Security Committee that Iranian-backed terrorists have likely entered the U.S. via the southern border. His comment came in response to a question from Republican Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) about the record-high number of gateways entering the U.S.

Border data shows 169 encounters with people on the terror watch list this fiscal year, up from 98 last year. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) recently introduced a bill that would require monthly congressional reports on these encounters.