U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed the apprehension of four Iranians since the beginning of October.
According to FOX News, the fourth 'special interest alien' was apprehended this month in Eagle Pass, Texas. The most recent case involved an Iranian man in his 40s who voluntarily surrendered to border agents around 3 a.m. on Sunday after illegally crossing into the United States. These individuals are labeled as "special interest aliens" because they originate from countries that the U.S. government identifies as having conditions that could potentially support or protect terrorism. As a result, they undergo additional screening and questioning upon their apprehension.
In the same report, it was noted that there has been an increase in the number of "special interest aliens" crossing into the United States through the southern border. Last week, CBP agents in Eagle Pass apprehended two Lebanese nationals who were also categorized as "special interest aliens." An Egyptian man in his 40s was also taken into custody. Furthermore, in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, officials have apprehended 19 Iranians and 17 Syrians since Monday.
FOX News points out heightened security concerns following a Hamas-led terrorist attack in Israel on October 7. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,300 Israelis and left thousands more wounded. Lebanon, which shares a border with Israel, is the base for Hezbollah, another terrorist group designated by the U.S. State Department and funded by Iran.
According to FOX News, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said last week that Iran had "broad complicity" in supporting Hamas. However, Kirby also noted that there was no evidence to suggest Iran was involved in planning or resourcing the recent attacks in Israel.
The Department of Homeland Security’s most recent threat assessment, published last month, warned of a growing risk posed by individuals on the watch list attempting to enter the United States. The assessment stated, "terrorists and criminal actors may exploit the elevated flow and increasingly complex security environment to enter the United States."
