ICE arrests over 130 Iranian nationals amid sleeper cell fears

In the United States, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently conducted a series of arrests targeting Iranian nationals amid rising security concerns related to potential sleeper cells. In the last week alone, ICE apprehended 130 individuals, contributing to the 670 Iranian nationals currently held in ICE detention facilities. This surge in enforcement comes in the wake of warnings from national security experts and former government officials about the risks associated with undocumented migrants with ties to militant groups, including Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The arrests, which were part of a broader strategy to address national security vulnerabilities emphasized by the Trump administration, reflect heightened scrutiny of Iranian immigrants, especially following military actions against Iran’s nuclear sites. Jeh Johnson, a former Homeland Security Secretary, has expressed concern about the presence of undocumented Iranian nationals in the U.S., noting that their potential affiliations with terrorist organizations pose significant dangers. In addition, former acting ICE Director Jonathan Fahey remarked on the problematic nature of inadequate vetting processes during prior administrations, suggesting that millions of undocumented individuals present a considerable national security threat. Under the Biden administration, approximately 1,500 Iranian nationals were detained after they entered the U.S. illegally, with many having been released into the interior of the country. Recent ICE data indicates there are nearly 6,000 Iranian nationals who entered legally but subsequently fell out of legal status and are identified as removable. Of these, around 1,300 have criminal convictions, prompting increased actions from ICE to prioritize their apprehension. This situation has raised alarms among various stakeholders, with experts warning that hospitals, especially in sanctuary cities, may become vulnerable to potential Iranian attacks as tensions heighten. Future legal dilemmas also loom, as a recent Supreme Court ruling allows for deportations to countries other than Iran, potentially complicating the removal process for detainees. The context surrounding these arrests reflects a culmination of security concerns, national policy shifts, and the ongoing challenges in managing immigration effectively while ensuring national safety.