Americans are being encouraged to stay alert following several arrests of Iranian nationals in the U.S. over the weekend, amid rising tensions related to Iran’s nuclear activities. Jeh Johnson, former Homeland Security Secretary under President Obama, expressed worries about potential terrorist sleeper cells operating within the country.
In an interview with Fox & Friends, Johnson highlighted his concern, stating, “The presence of undocumented immigrants or Iranian citizens here is, in my view, a major issue for domestic law enforcement.” Following military actions, the Department of Homeland Security issued a memo indicating an increased threat level across the U.S. as it becomes embroiled in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Notably, Iranian state media has labeled all Americans and military personnel in the region as legitimate targets.
Experts from sanctuary city hospitals have also cautioned that they might be particularly vulnerable to attacks from Iranian terrorists. Earlier this week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported the arrest of over a dozen undocumented Iranian citizens in the U.S., including a former sniper from the Iranian army.
Johnson believes the actual threat may be more significant than these recent arrests imply, suggesting that more migrants may be apprehended in connection to Iran. “That’s probably not the end of it,” he added. “My educated guess is that law enforcement will closely monitor these individuals for a while to understand their connections.”
Other officials echo similar concerns, linking the threat from sleeper cells to the Biden administration’s relaxed border policies. Former ICE chief Tom Homan described a scenario where nearly 2,000 immigrants evade law enforcement daily under the current administration.
Homan expressed confusion over the unknown identities and backgrounds of some individuals, noting, “I don’t really know who they are or what their intentions might be.” Alongside the Iranian developments, Johnson pointed out that individuals with extremist ties might act autonomously as Middle Eastern tensions escalate.
“Sleeper agents might not always await orders from their sponsors,” he remarked. “Those in the U.S. could have connections to groups like Hezbollah, which has links to the IRGC, and might decide to take matters into their own hands.”
In light of these threats, the FBI has refocused some of its resources on enhancing cybersecurity and bolstering counter-terrorism efforts. Despite the concerns, Johnson urged the public not to panic, encouraging them to maintain their daily routines while remaining vigilant. “If you notice something unusual, report it,” he advised, reiterating the importance of public awareness in ensuring safety.
