Biden’s border crisis likely fueled Iranian sleeper woes, former acting ICE chief warns

The impact of the border crisis under the Biden administration has raised concerns about a potential Iranian sleeper cell threat domestically, according to a former top Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official. Jonathan Fahey, who briefly led Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), believes that the open border policies have made the situation worse.

After the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites, DHS issued a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin warning about the risk of domestic terrorism from Iranian-backed or inspired perpetrators. Fahey stated that the lack of meaningful vetting during the previous administration, combined with the influx of 2 million known “gotaways,” has created a significant security risk.

Fahey highlighted the fact that other countries were likely monitoring the situation closely, taking advantage of the open border to send individuals to spy, collect intelligence, or plan harmful activities. The former ICE director emphasized that the Biden administration’s lax border policies have allowed adversaries to enter the country with little to no resistance.

According to Fox News, approximately half of the 1,500 Iranian nationals who entered the U.S. illegally during the Biden administration were released into the country. National security experts have expressed concerns about the potential threat posed by these individuals, especially in response to the conflict between Iran and the U.S.

The DHS bulletin warned that the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could lead to US-based individuals plotting attacks, particularly those motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment. Fahey and other experts believe that the releases and gotaways during the Biden administration have created a significant national security risk.

Former FBI assistant director Chris Swecker criticized the Biden administration for releasing individuals without thoroughly vetting them, calling it “gross negligence.” Border czar Tom Homan also raised concerns about the number of gotaways who have entered the country undetected, posing a serious national security vulnerability.

Under the Trump administration, no releases occurred in May, compared to roughly 62,000 releases under the Biden administration last May, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. The situation at the border remains a point of contention, with experts warning about the potential threats posed by individuals who have entered the country illegally.

In conclusion, the border crisis under the Biden administration has exacerbated concerns about a potential Iranian sleeper cell threat domestically. The lack of effective vetting and the high number of releases and gotaways have created a significant national security vulnerability. Experts are urging the administration to address these issues to ensure the safety and security of the country.