Customs and Border Protection has received warnings regarding potential terrorist “sleeping cells” within the U.S., as over 700 Iranians have reportedly crossed into the country illegally during the Biden administration, according to a leaked memo acquired by the Post.
Iranian immigrants are categorized as “aliens of special interest,” undergoing additional scrutiny by federal authorities due to their country’s known connections to terrorism.
More than 1,500 Iranian immigrants reportedly entered the U.S. under Biden, with nearly half of them crossing the border unlawfully before being released, as noted by Fox News.
Border agents are increasingly vigilant about the possible use of the border for launching attacks, especially following Iranian strikes on nuclear sites over the weekend.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott highlighted “Iran’s animosity toward America” in a memo to investigators on Saturday, emphasizing the concern over illegal entries by Iranian nationals.
Scott stated, “In the last four years, thousands of Iranians have entered the U.S. unlawfully, and we might discover a myriad of issues regarding those known or unknown who got away.”
While he mentioned the absence of specific threats, Scott warned that the risks from sleeping cells and sympathizers are at an all-time high.
He urged border agents to maintain vigilance and take necessary precautions while being aware of evolving situations.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration recently targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, known as “Operation Midnight Hammer,” in an effort to deter the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions.
This comes in the wake of Iranian officials cautioning President Trump at last week’s G7 Summit about potential violent responses to U.S. actions, including threats of sleeper cells launching attacks within the U.S.
On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security issued a terrorism alert, urging officials to remain wary of Iran-linked attacks over the coming months, especially in light of the recent airstrike.
The DHS warned that if Iranian leaders incite retaliatory violence, it could lead to mobilization by extremists within their communities.
The FBI has also indicated that Iran has historically targeted U.S. interests, and Attorney General Pam Bondy noted that officials are currently on high alert.
Furthermore, authorities expect a rise in both cyberattacks and anti-Semitic incidents.
The NYPD is ramping up security measures, with Governor Kathy Hochul enhancing protections for the MTA and Port Authority.
On Monday, Iran executed a missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar. Fortunately, the attack was preemptively warned about, leading to all incoming projectiles being intercepted before reaching their target.
