News Summary
In a nationwide operation, ICE agents arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally residing in the U.S., including individuals with criminal backgrounds and ties to terrorist organizations. This sweep follows escalating security threats related to U.S. military actions in Iran. Among those detained are individuals with previous removal orders and criminal convictions. The action is part of DHS’s broader strategy to enhance national security by targeting suspected terrorists and violent extremists living unlawfully in the U.S.
San Diego, California – In a significant operation over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 11 Iranian nationals living in the United States illegally. This nationwide sweep comes amid heightened security concerns following recent U.S. military actions targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, which have sparked fears of possible retaliatory attacks within the country.
Among the arrested individuals is Arkavan Babk Moirokorli, a 57-year-old San Diego resident with a criminal record that includes forgery of an official seal. Moirokorli is currently in ICE custody as he faces pending removal proceedings. The operation also led to the capture of Mehran Makari Saheli in Minnesota, who has acknowledged having ties to Hezbollah, alongside Ribvar Karimi, an alleged Iranian Army sniper apprehended in Alabama.
The arrested individuals are connected to various criminal offenses, with many having prior convictions for serious crimes such as grand larceny and drug-related activities. In particular, five of those detained had previous removal orders against them, indicating a history of immigration violations. The effort aligns with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) commitment to identifying and arresting suspected terrorists and violent extremists present in the United States.
In addition to the Iranian nationals, Linet Vartaniann, a U.S. citizen, was charged for allegedly threatening a law enforcement officer and for harboring one of the Iranian detainees. While ICE officials confirmed the arrests, they did not indicate any immediate terrorist threats arising from these actions.
The operation underscores the ongoing emphasis by the DHS to enforce immigration laws aggressively to remove individuals unlawfully residing in the country. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin articulated the department’s proactive measures in response to President Trump’s directive to secure the homeland against potential security threats.
The national sweep reflects growing apprehensions regarding the influence of organizations like Hezbollah and the implications of having individuals associated with such groups residing in the U.S. Investigations show that some of the detainees have entered the country through legal means, such as a fiancé visa, but failed to adjust their immigration status thereafter.
As the situation continues to develop, officials are monitoring for any potential ramifications linked to the arrests and the broader geopolitical landscape involving Iran. The presence of individuals with military training, such as Karimi, raises particular concerns about their capabilities and possible intentions within the U.S.
While these operations aim to detain and prosecute violations of immigration laws, they also highlight the delicate balance between enforcing national security and ensuring due process for individuals subject to immigration laws. Authorities remain vigilant, maintaining surveillance and striving to preemptively address any threats posed by foreign nationals unlawfully residing within the borders of the United States.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 5 San Diego
- CBS 8
- NBC News
- Jerusalem Post
- Newsweek
- Wikipedia: Iran
- Google Search: ICE arrests Iranian nationals
- Google Scholar: Iranian nationals ICE arrests
- Encyclopedia Britannica: ICE immigration enforcement
- Google News: Iran ICE arrests
