Biden admin released 729 Iranian nationals amid terror concerns
Over the course of the Biden administration, there has been a concerning trend emerging at the southern border. According to a senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) source, over 1,500 Iranian nationals illegally entered the U.S. at the southern border and were subsequently arrested. What is even more alarming is that nearly 50% of these individuals were released back into the country.
Specifically, Border Patrol agents apprehended 1,504 Iranian nationals from fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2024. Out of these arrests, 729 individuals were released back into the U.S. The number of Iranian nationals arrested at the border has been on the rise year after year, with 48 arrests in FY21, 197 in FY22, 462 in FY23, and 797 in FY24. Similarly, the number of Iranian nationals released has also seen a steady increase, with 12 releases in FY21, 40 in FY22, 229 in FY23, and 448 in FY24.
It remains unclear how many of the Iranians released into the U.S. were on the terrorism watchlist, as the Biden administration has denied multiple requests for this information citing privacy concerns and minimal public interest. All Iranians are considered “special interest aliens” due to national security concerns, and therefore, they are supposed to undergo enhanced vetting by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The release of such a significant number of Iranian nationals back into the U.S. raises serious national security concerns, especially in light of recent events. Following President Trump’s successful strikes on key nuclear facilities in Iran, U.S. officials have issued warnings about a heightened threat environment in the country. The DHS issued a memo highlighting the potential risks posed by terror-backed sleeper cells and the Iranian government’s threats of retaliation against the U.S.
The bulletin from the DHS pointed to law enforcement’s disruption of multiple potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots since 2020, underscoring the need for vigilance. With the open borders facilitating the entry of individuals from various backgrounds, there is a fear that foreign adversary operatives could be planning an attack on U.S. soil. Former FBI assistant director Chris Swecker emphasized the missed opportunity to gather intelligence from the Iranian nationals who were caught and released at the border.
The potential for foreign cells to carry out a domestic terror plot was highlighted last year when federal prosecutors announced the arrest of a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and two U.S. nationals for allegedly plotting to assassinate President-elect Trump and a U.S. citizen critical of the Iranian regime.
The situation at the southern border is a cause for concern, and it is imperative that the Biden administration takes steps to address the national security risks posed by the release of Iranian nationals into the U.S. The safety and security of the American people must be a top priority in dealing with the complex issues surrounding immigration and border security.
