GOP demands data on Syrian immigrants from DHS

By Susan Ferrechio, Susan Ferrechio

Published December 20, 2015

Two top Republican lawmakers want to know more about the potential threat of terrorists gaining entry into the United States through the nation's southwest border.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Tuesday seeking "information on aliens from countries of particular concern" who have been picked up at the border.

The letter follows a report that five Syrian men were arrested in Honduras with falsified passports. None have been deemed a terrorist threat, however.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported six Syrians family members were arrested last week after trying to gain access to the United States through Laredo, Texas.