Concerns Over Iranian Nationalists and Border Security
Tom Homan, a prominent figure in border security discussions, expressed worries about Iranian nationalists and unidentified illegal immigrants following a recent U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. In an interview on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, he emphasized that the U.S. is currently exposed to significant national security risks due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Tom Homan: “My main concern for the last few years has revolved around our open border. This is, quite frankly, one of the biggest national security vulnerabilities our country has ever faced. I reviewed the numbers from Customs and Border Protection under Joe Biden, finding that 1,272 Iranian nationals were released into the U.S., compared to zero during the Trump administration. Under Trump, we had, arguably, the safest borders we’ve ever had. Now, under Biden, over ten million people have crossed that border. My primary worry from the start has been not just fentanyl and human trafficking but the ‘gotaways’—over two million individuals are unaccounted for after crossing. I mean, border patrol is overwhelmed, and we just don’t know where they’ve come from. It’s a tremendous security risk.”
In response to escalating tensions, the U.S. State Department has heightened travel warnings for its citizens in several Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. This change follows President Trump’s directive for airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear locations. Of note, Lebanon faces the strictest warnings, where families of non-essential government personnel have been urged to leave due to rising security concerns.
The travel advisory for Turkey and Saudi Arabia has been increased, yet there is no official evacuation order in place. Meanwhile, Jordan remains at a Level 2 warning, advising Americans to remain alert.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses mentioned that Trump was “fully committed” to pursuing peace talks with Iran prior to the decision to strike on Sunday. When questioned by reporters, he refrained from pinpointing a specific moment when an airstrike was deemed necessary. He noted that there were instances when it became clear that action was crucial to minimize risks faced by U.S. military personnel.
Hegses stated, “I’ve seen up close how dedicated he is to the peace process, but unfortunately, we faced stonewalling from their side. Despite giving them time to negotiate, it became apparent they were not willing to compromise on their nuclear program.”
