Dozens of illegal immigrants from countries linked to extensive terrorist activity were caught at the southern border in Texas during the past week, authorities said Friday. 

Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) encountered the migrants among two large groups. The first of 230 illegal immigrants was apprehended Sept. 30.

Among that group were 27 people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt and India, a DPS statement said. They were turned over to the federal authorities. 

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An aerial view of migrants near the Texas-Mexico border. Among the group with citizens of countries with extensive terrorist activity, authorities said.  (Texas Department of Public Safety)

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“It is this type of activity, these attempted illegal crossings between the ports of entry by people coming from areas that are hot spots for terrorist activity that clearly highlight the concerns of Governor Abbott and the state of Texas,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “These are not illegal immigrants seeking asylum – these are people trying to cross into the United States undetected who may also be trying to do us harm.”

Special interest nations are those with extensive terrorist activity. 

Another 41 people in the first group were arrested for criminal trespass. They were citizens of Brazil, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Argentina, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

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Illegal immigrants are stopped by Texas authorities at the southern border.  (Texas Department of Public Safety)

A second group of illegal immigrants was spotted on Wednesday just north of the border town of Eagle Pass. Of the 135 people apprehended, 13 hailed from Turkey and one from China, authorities said. In a separate arrest, authorities took Umar Farooq Ashraf, a South African citizen, into custody on Sept. 21. 

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He was among a group of 15 illegal immigrants trespassing in Normandy, Texas, located across the border from Mexico. 

Troopers were alerted by the Terror Screening Center that Ashraf could be related to a known or suspected terrorist. He remains in custody on criminal trespass charges. 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued its annual threat assessment this week warning of migrants with terrorist ties. 

“Over the next year, we expect some individuals with terrorism ties and some criminal actors will continue their efforts to exploit migration flows and the complex border security environment to enter the United States,” the assessment states. “Individuals with potential terrorism connections continue to attempt to enter the Homeland at both the US-Mexico and US-Canada borders and also through the immigration system,” it continued. 

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Authorities are pursuing a suspect driver in Los Angeles County Friday night.

The suspect, driving a yellow Ford Mustang, is wanted for an assault, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver is traveling at high speeds on the freeway and surface streets, weaving dangerously between vehicles and narrowly missing other drivers.

It’s unclear how many people may be inside the vehicle, but authorities believe at least one passenger is present.

Sky5 is overhead. Refresh this story for the latest updates.

Residents of Los Angeles finally know their next chief of police.

In a news conference Friday, mayor Karen Bass introduced Jim McDonnell, former Los Angeles County Sheriff and LAPD assistant chief, as the new chief of the L.A. Police Department. The hire is thought to be one of the crucial events of Bass’ first term in office.

McDonnell was elected sheriff in 2014 before losing to Alex Villanueva in a 2018 reelection bid.

He previously served as the chief of the Long Beach Police Department.

“In ensuring that our city is prepared, I have selected Jim McDonnell to serve as the 59th chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department,” Bass said. “Chief McDonnell is one of America’s finest police professionals.”

McDonnell graduated from LAPD’s academy at the age of 21.

“I’m appointing Chief McDonnell because he and I have aligned in our desire to change the direction of Los Angeles by preventing crime in the first place, responding urgently when crime takes place, and to hold people accountable and bring down crime,” Bass said.

During Friday’s announcement, McDonnell grasped the magnitude of his role in leading the police force of the second-largest city in the U.S.

“I love this city and I understand the modern-day challenges our officers face in trying to protect it,” he said.

In their remarks, both McDonnell and Bass acknowledged the opportunity L.A. has to rehabilitate its image as a safe city for the rest of the world, as it hosts the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

The announcement comes after a search spanning several months. The vacancy opened after Chief Michael Moore’s surprise retirement earlier this year. Moore, who served in the role from 2018 until this February, took on challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and protests stemming from the death of George Floyd.

In March, Assistant Chief Dominic H. Choi was unanimously appointed by the civilian Board of Police Commissioners to serve as interim chief of the LAPD. From the beginning of his brief term, Choi never sought out the full-time role of chief.

“I want to thank Chief Choi,” Bass said on Friday. “I’m grateful that you will continue, you’re not going anywhere, you will continue your role as assistance chief.”

Choi, LAPD’s first-ever Asian-American chief, took on challenges such as growing concerns over theft and smash-and-grab crimes throughout L.A.