The situation is compounded by the ongoing border crisis, which has seen millions of illegal entries under the Biden administration. Former border enforcement officials argue that the lack of effective vetting has increased national security vulnerabilities. ICE sources confirm that some of those arrested have criminal records involving drug offenses, weapons, and domestic violence.

One significant arrest includes Ribvar Karimi, a former sniper in the Iranian military, who entered the U.S. on a K-1 visa intended for individuals planning to marry American citizens. Karimi failed to change his visa status, making him eligible for deportation. He was detained in Locust, Alabama, while carrying identification linking him to the Iranian army.

Another individual, Mehran Makari Sahel, was arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and admitted to connections with Hezbollah. His arrest occurred as part of a larger ICE operation targeting sanctuary cities across eight states.

DHS officials stated they are aggressively pursuing suspected terrorists and violent extremists who entered the U.S. illegally. According to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the agency is acting proactively to fulfill President Trump’s directive to secure the homeland, without waiting for acts of terrorism to trigger action.

A recent Supreme Court ruling allows for deportations to third-party countries, which may affect those arrested if diplomatic relations with Iran hinder direct repatriation. This legal development could expedite removals in cases where returning individuals directly to Iran proves diplomatically or logistically difficult.

While former President Trump has declared a cease-fire with Iran, U.S. antiterrorism agencies remain on high alert. Officials continue to monitor for any domestic threats linked to Iranian operatives, as enforcement efforts intensify in response to growing national security concerns.