ICE Arrests 130+ Iranian Nationals Across US Amid Sleeper Cell Fears

In a sweeping move that has sent ripples through national security circles, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested over 130 Iranian nationals across the United States in the past week alone. Currently, 670 individuals of Iranian descent are in ICE detention as the Trump administration ramps up efforts to address illegal immigration amid growing fears of potential sleeper cells.

The timing of these arrests is no coincidence. With recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program sites, officials and experts are sounding the alarm on the risk of retaliation on American soil. The possibility of dormant operatives or inspired individuals taking action has become a pressing concern. Jeh Johnson, former Homeland Security Secretary under Obama, didn’t mince words when he called the presence of undocumented Iranian nationals with ties to groups like Hezbollah or the IRGC a domestic law enforcement issue of the highest magnitude.

Adding fuel to the fire are the lingering effects of the border crisis during the Biden administration, which saw millions cross into the U.S. illegally. Border Czar Tom Homan highlighted the glaring uncertainty: we often have no clue who these individuals are, where they came from, or why they’re here. This, he argues, represents an unprecedented national security vulnerability. Former acting ICE Director Jonathan Fahey echoed this, pointing out the lack of meaningful vetting in recent years and the staggering number of roughly 2 million 'gotaways'—people who crossed undetected during the last administration.

Among those recently detained, ICE sources reveal some have troubling criminal histories, including charges tied to drugs, weapons, and domestic violence. Perhaps most chilling, at least one individual served as a sniper in the Iranian military as recently as four years ago. During the Biden era, about half of the 1,500 Iranian nationals released into the U.S. were allowed into the interior, raising further questions about oversight.

A recent Supreme Court ruling allowing deportations to third-party countries—even those with limited diplomatic ties—offers a potential solution, though legal battles continue to complicate matters. For now, the nation watches as these arrests unfold, a stark reminder of the delicate balance between security and immigration policy in an increasingly tense global landscape.