From FY21 to FY24, over 1,500 Iranian nationals were arrested at the U.S. southern border, with approximately 729 released into the U.S., according to a senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection source. Concerns about national security arise as all Iranians are classified as ‘special interest aliens.’
This arises from concerns about sleeper cells in the wake of military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Following the attacks, Iran vowed to retaliate.