US-Canada Border Now a Target for China and Russia, Says FBI's Patel: 'The Enemy Adapts'

The U.S.-Canada border has become a new point of concern for national security, with adversaries like China and Russia shifting their focus north, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. Speaking to the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, Patel explained that increased security efforts at the southern border have forced these adversaries to adapt their strategies.

"The enemy adapts," Patel stated, emphasizing that while challenges at the southern border persist, fortified security measures have made it significantly harder for illegal activities—such as the trafficking of people and substances like fentanyl—to continue unchecked. He credited the "monumental effort" initiated during President Donald Trump's administration for this progress.

Patel highlighted a staggering 90% drop in illegal crossings at the southern border in most sectors, a shift he attributed to the deployment of thousands of U.S. military troops and enhanced surveillance measures. This sharp decline follows record-setting illegal crossings during the Biden administration, which also saw a dramatic rise in attempts by immigrants from regions outside the Americas, including a notable surge in Chinese nationals.

Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed that over 24,000 Chinese nationals attempted to cross the southern border in 2023, a jaw-dropping 5,200% increase from the previous year's 450. Patel further informed lawmakers that between 2022 and 2025, approximately 178,000 Chinese nationals attempted illegal crossings. These numbers underline the extent to which U.S. adversaries have exploited vulnerabilities at the southern border.

Patel warned that the northern border could now become a prime target for these adversaries. He argued that they are likely to replicate tactics previously used in less-secured areas, capitalizing on any gaps in U.S. border security.

The FBI has not yet issued a formal comment on Patel's testimony. However, his remarks underscore the evolving nature of threats to U.S. national security, reminding us that just when we think we've closed one loophole, another might be opening right under our noses.