Exclusive Arrests of Iranians in the U.S.
On Monday, at least five Iranians were apprehended, in addition to the eleven arrests reported by the Ministry of Homeland Security on Tuesday morning.
In Baltimore, 45-year-old Mohammad Hassanpur was taken into custody by local authorities and received a “Third County Notice.” Notably, he had a previous conviction for “assault with a deadly weapon,” which led to a sentence of just under one year. He also had a backlog concerning a domestic battery charge from three months ago and had been classified as a stalker two years back.
Another individual, Kaveh Abedi, also 45, was arrested in Chicago for immigration and nationality violations, adding to his troubled past that includes a conviction for selling cocaine in 2001.
Moreover, Alish Rustami was arrested for charges related to a prior sexual offense. Abdul Mohammad Ragbatsede, who has been in and out of the system since 2005 and had a previous stay in ICE custody, was also implicated. His criminal history includes arrests for domestic violence and vandalism, leading to a 90-day sentence and several years of probation.
Raghibzadeh’s issues continued, as he faced additional arrests and had difficulties obtaining necessary documents to return to Iran. In 2007, he was again detained by law enforcement in California for failing to adhere to probation requirements.
Federal authorities took Sahand Yousfinasrabadi into custody during a targeted operation in Fort Worth, Texas. He had been convicted of aggravated sexual assault against a minor and was ordered to leave the U.S. back in 2013.
Concerns about Iranian sleeper cells within the U.S. have arisen alongside these arrests. Despite a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, the Department of Homeland Security emphasized the need for caution and ongoing vigilance.
DHS Deputy Chief Tricia McLaughlin commented on the arrests, stating that actions were taken under the Biden administration aiming to target known or suspected terrorists who had entered the U.S. illegally. She highlighted a commitment to remove dangerous individuals from communities and to secure borders, reflecting an ongoing mission to enhance safety.
Lastly, Yousef Mehridehno was apprehended over the weekend and is known to have been on a terrorist watch list, signaling the administration’s broader efforts to address perceived threats from specific groups. Meanwhile, reports indicate that around 729 out of approximately 1,500 Iranians who came illegally to the U.S. have been released by the current administration, fueling debates on border security and immigration policies.
