US Officials Warn of Iranian Sleeper-Cell Threat Amid Illegal Immigration Surge

Following recent U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, concerns have intensified about Iranian sleeper cells potentially operating within the United States. Senator Joni Ernst highlighted the arrests of 11 Iranian nationals suspected of terrorist ties and criticized the Biden administration's border policies for allowing over 700 illegal Iranian nationals into the country, increasing the risk of such threats. Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before Congress emphasizing that all federal agencies, including the FBI, are taking the threat of sleeper cells seriously, noting that 1,500 illegal Iranians have been arrested so far. However, shifts of FBI personnel from counterterrorism to immigration enforcement and proposed Department of Justice budget cuts have raised alarms about the agency’s capacity to effectively counter these threats, especially in cybersecurity amid known Iranian cyber activities. Lawmakers from both parties have called for greater visibility and resources to address homeland security concerns, with some advocating for aggressive immigration enforcement to gather intelligence on suspected terrorists. The issue remains a key focus amid ongoing debates over national security and immigration policy under President Donald Trump's administration.