Following recent open hostilities with Tehran, the US has reportedly ramped up the arrest of Iranian nationals. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detained 130 Iranians over the past week, according to Fox News. The White House has expressed concern about potential ‘sleeper cells’ inside the US, with the Department of Homeland Security issuing a warning of a ‘heightened threat environment’ after the US’s strikes on Iran. Some of the arrested individuals have criminal records, and at least one had recently served in Iran’s military, with over 670 Iranian nationals currently in ICE custody.
The situation has been further complicated by the recent attacks on Iran by the US, which was joined by Israel, resulting in a missile barrage targeting a US military base in Qatar. This has led to increased tensions between the US and Iran, with the White House expressing worries about potential threats within the country. The Department of Homeland Security has taken the step of issuing a warning of a ‘heightened threat environment,’ which indicates an increased level of security threat that needs to be addressed.
One of the individuals arrested was a former Iranian serviceman who had immigrated to the US under a visa granted to foreigners engaged to American citizens. According to his pregnant wife, Morgan Karimi, he has supported US President Donald Trump and his immigration policies. The ICE Director, Tom Homan, has stated that Trump’s immigration stance is especially important ‘now, during this Iran conflict,’ and he has criticized the previous administration for creating the biggest national security vulnerability.
The US Supreme Court has also ruled in favor of allowing the Trump administration to deport migrants to third countries, despite earlier legal challenges to the policy. This decision aligns with the current administration’s stance on immigration enforcement, which they believe is essential to ensure national security in light of the current tensions with Iran.