130 Iranian Nationals Arrested by ICE, Raising Security Concerns
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took 130 Iranian citizens into custody across the United States last week, part of a larger effort that has seen a total of 670 Iranian nationals being detained.
Various federal sources have verified these numbers, and officials in national security are sounding alarms about the potential activation of sleeper cells. Some are worried that, in response to U.S. actions against Iran’s nuclear initiatives, certain individuals might feel compelled to act violently within the country.
Former Homeland Security Secretary Jae Johnson remarked on “Fox & Friends” that the presence of undocumented immigrants, especially Iranian nationals, poses significant risks to domestic law enforcement efforts.
Concerns Over Iranian Sleeper Cells
The ongoing border situation under the Biden administration has resulted in millions entering the U.S. illegally, which exacerbates these fears. Tom Homan, a former border official, expressed uncertainty about who these individuals are, stating that this represents the largest vulnerability in national security he has ever seen.
Former ICE director Jonathan Fahey noted that the situation has “undetectedly” worsened, raising additional red flags about the current administration’s approach.
Fahey expressed specific worries about the lack of thorough reviews conducted in the last administration, pointing out that around two million potential immigration issues have gone unresolved, leaving officials unaware of many problematic cases.
ICE has confirmed that some of those arrested have criminal histories, including serious charges such as drug offenses, weapon-related crimes, and domestic abuse.
Increased Vulnerabilities in Sanctuary Cities
Experts warn that hospitals in sanctuary cities might be particularly exposed to threats from Iranian terrorists. Notably, over the last few years, at least one individual linked to Iranian sniper activities has been identified. The Biden administration has released approximately half of 1,500 Iranians previously detained in connection with various offenses.
Despite tenuous diplomatic ties, a recent Supreme Court ruling permitting deportation to third-party countries has introduced complexities in handling detainees, suggesting they may be sent to locations other than Iran. This has been stirred up by legal challenges following a controversial flight arrangement, but the discussions continue amid ongoing judicial scrutiny.
