U.S. Immigration Authorities Detain 11 Iranian Nationals Amid Rising Security Concerns
In a sweeping nationwide operation, U.S. immigration officials have taken into custody 11 Iranian nationals across various states, sparking heightened security alerts amid growing tensions following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Among those detained is Ribvar Karimi, a former sniper from Iran’s elite military forces, who was discovered living in Locust, Alabama after overstaying a fiancé visa.
Karimi initially entered the United States on a K-1 visa, intended for individuals planning to marry American citizens, but failed to fulfill the visa’s legal requirements.
Authorities uncovered identification linking him directly to the Iranian military, prompting his arrest as part of a broader crackdown targeting individuals suspected of extremist affiliations.
Another detainee, Mehran Makari Sahel from St. Paul, Minnesota, was identified as a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and reportedly acknowledged ties to Hezbollah. Although no active terrorist plots have surfaced, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warns of the ongoing risk posed by sleeper agents embedded within communities.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has urged local and state law enforcement agencies to enhance vigilance, while Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) highlighted recent security incidents, including the interception of a boat carrying Iranian nationals near the Florida coast.
Critics of the Biden administration argue that lax border enforcement has contributed to the entry of over 1,200 Iranians into the country over the past four years. In response to escalating hostilities in the Middle East, DHS has issued warnings about potential cyberattacks, violent extremist acts, and a surge in antisemitic hate crimes domestically.
The detentions of these 11 Iranian nationals—some with direct connections to Iran’s military and known extremist groups—have intensified national security discussions. While no immediate threats have been confirmed, the arrests emphasize the critical need for robust immigration controls and intelligence coordination. As investigations proceed, federal and local agencies remain on heightened alert to mitigate any emerging dangers. This development also fuels ongoing debates over immigration policy and the domestic impact of international conflicts.