11 Iranian Citizens Taken into Custody in the U.S. over the Weekend

Recent Arrests of Iranian Citizens by DHS

Officials from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the apprehension of 11 Iranian nationals, some of whom were reportedly in the country illegally. This crackdown occurred over the weekend, shortly after President Trump authorized strategic bombings targeting three Iranian nuclear sites. The authorities indicated that these individuals are either known or suspected terrorists.

DHS officials stated on social media, “We identified and arrested known terrorists and violent extremists who had entered the country illegally through Biden’s parole program and other means. We’re dealing with serious threats and won’t wait for military action to secure our homeland.”

The arrests unfolded in various locations, including Glackstadt, Mississippi; Locust Fork, Alabama; Tempe, Arizona; as well as in larger cities like San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, Colorado Springs, Buffalo, and St. Paul.

DHS Deputy Chief Tricia McLaughlin commented, “Under the guidance of Executive Director NOEM, we’ve been actively identifying and detaining known or suspected terrorists who’ve unlawfully entered the country.”

Details of the arrests include:

Ribvar Karimi: Arrested in Locust Fork, Alabama on June 22, he was identified as a former Iranian Army sniper with a valid Iranian Army ID. He entered the US on a K-1 visa related to marriage to an American but did not adjust his status and is currently in ICE custody.

Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad: Arrested in Houston, he was found with a loaded 9mm pistol and had previous legal troubles, including a domestic violence charge. His immigration status was complicated due to prior academic suspension and a failed motion to resume his case.

Hamid Reza Bayat: An Iranian national with a final removal order, he faces deportation following a drug conviction and other legal issues spanning nearly two decades.

Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand: Arrested in Tempe, he had previous threats against law enforcement officers and was found with a firearm while entering the US back in 2012.

Linet Vartaniann: Arrested alongside another suspect, she allegedly made threats towards ICE officers, claiming she would shoot them if they entered her home.

Yousef Mehridehno: Arrested in Mississippi, he had been living in the US since his residency was terminated in 2017 due to lies on visa applications.

Mahmoud Shafiei and Mehrdad Mehdipour: These Iranian citizens were living illegally in Colorado Springs, both having extensive criminal backgrounds and previous encounters with immigration authorities.

Mehran Makari Saheli: Arrested in St. Paul, this 56-year-old has a felony firearm conviction and ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani: Found in San Francisco, this 62-year-old has a history of drug-related offenses and theft, currently under ICE custody.

Mohammad Rafikian: Arrested in Buffalo, he has multiple convictions for grand larceny and fraud-related offenses.

Arkavan Babk Moirokorli: Arrested in San Diego for forgery of official documents, both he and Rafikian remain in ICE custody.

Reports indicate that during the current Biden administration’s fiscal years, over 1,500 Iranian citizens have been apprehended by Border Patrol, with nearly half reportedly released within the US.