Immigration Agents Arrest 11 Iranian Migrants

Over the weekend, immigration agents apprehended 11 undocumented Iranian migrants, among whom are suspected terrorists, as Border Patrol raised alarms about potential “sleeper” cells operating in the United States.

CBS News reported the arrest of Mehran Makari Sahel, a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, near St. Paul, Minnesota. Additionally, Yousef Mehridehno, who appears on the terrorist watchlist, was detained by ICE outside Jackson, Mississippi.

Authorities found that Mehridehno had lied on his visa application after living illegally in the country for eight years.

On the same day, ICE agents arrested Ribvar Karmi in northern Alabama. He was found with an Iranian Army ID indicating he had served as a sniper from 2018 to 2021. Karmi had entered the U.S. in October 2024 on a K-1 visa, meant for those engaged to American citizens.

Of the 11 Iranian individuals apprehended by ICE, five had prior criminal convictions, with charges ranging from substantial theft to drug and firearm possession, as reported by CBS News.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted that, under the direction of the NOEM secretary, they had identified and arrested known terrorists and violent extremists who had entered illegally, saying some had used a “fraudulent parole program” during the Biden administration.

DHS emphasized their proactive approach, stating, “We’re getting the worst of the worst, and we don’t wait for military operations to take action. We’re committed to the mission of securing our communities.” This comes in the context of heightened scrutiny following recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Following these events, border agents were alerted to the possibility of Iranian terrorist sleeper cells. The scrutiny of Iranian immigrants has intensified, as they are classified as “aliens of special interest” due to potential terrorism connections.

Under President Biden, more than 700 Iranian migrants have been granted entry into the U.S. after crossing the border, according to Fox News.

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott highlighted the threat posed by Iranian hostility toward Americans in a memo to border investigators. “In the past four years, thousands of Iranian citizens have entered illegally, with many unreported cases of people evading capture,” he noted.

Although Scott stated there are currently no specific, credible threats, he warned that the risk of sleeper cells and sympathizers remains higher than ever. He urged border agents to maintain awareness and stay vigilant in the face of these potential threats.