US Border Patrol Gives Statement After Iranian Man Arrested At Border
On Sunday, a fourth Iranian individual on the terror watchlist was apprehended while trying to enter the United States through the southern border. This comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist group backed by Iran.
According to Fox News, the man in his 40s was caught crossing the border early Sunday morning. He was blending in with a group of Venezuelan migrants and was arrested without incident. This marks the fourth time since October that an Iranian has been caught trying to enter the US illegally.
The State Department classifies individuals from Iran as "special interest aliens" due to the country's hostile stance towards the US. Additionally, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has raised concerns about potential links between Iran and the recent attacks on Israel.
Last week, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that Iran was "broadly complicit" in the attacks launched by Hamas, citing the country's military and political support for the terrorist group. This statement has been echoed by several Republican politicians who claim that Iran is funding Hamas' terrorism in Israel.
The Biden administration has repeatedly stated that they have not found any evidence linking Iran to the attacks on Israel. However, the recent apprehensions of Iranians at the southern border have raised concerns about potential ties between the two.
In September, the Department of Homeland Security released a report warning about the increasing number of "special interest aliens" attempting to enter the US. The report stated that terrorists and criminal actors may exploit the elevated flow of migrants to enter the country, posing a potential national security threat.
Border agents are on high alert and closely monitoring the situation, as individuals from countries of particular concern continue to cross the southern border. According to leaked data from Customs and Border Protection, over 70,000 migrants have been apprehended from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria – all of which are designated as state sponsors of terrorism.
Border Patrol sources have expressed concerns about the lack of resources and information in identifying potential threats among the high volume of migrants. Many individuals from special interest countries may not have a criminal record or be on any watchlist, making it difficult for agents to vet them.
President Biden recently defended his administration's decision to use Trump-era funding for additional border wall construction in South Texas. He stated that he tried to redirect the funds, but Congress refused. The current influx of migrants at the border has also prompted calls for federal assistance from Democratic leaders in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Washington.
As tensions between the US and Iran remain high, the situation at the southern border continues to raise concerns about potential threats posed by individuals from special interest countries. The US government is facing pressure to address and mitigate these concerns while also managing the ongoing influx of migrants at the border.