President Donald Trump’s border czar says more than 200 Iranian nationals have been arrested in the United States amid rising global concerns about Iran’s internal crackdowns and ties to terrorism.
“If you’re a national security threat, you should be [afraid of deportation]. We’re looking for you … Over 200 Iranian nationals have been arrested by us and brought in,” said ICE Director Tom Homan in a video published June 30 by The Economic Times.
Homan’s comments come as Iran faces international condemnation for a sweeping espionage crackdown. Iranian authorities have reportedly executed six individuals and arrested more than 700 others, including 300 ethnic Kurds, according to the Center for Human Rights in Iran.
The regime claims the arrests targeted suspected collaborators with Israel or critics of Iranian military actions online.
As Iran ramps up internal repression, U.S. authorities have intensified operations targeting possible national security threats tied to the Islamic Republic.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently arrested two individuals during a raid at a Los Angeles residence described as a “human smuggling hub” allegedly tied to terrorism.
The home had previously been used to harbor illegal entrants with links to terror-related activity, according to a June 29 Fox News report.
“CBP executed a federal search warrant today at a human smuggling hub in Los Angeles tied to national security threats,” the agency posted on X. The operation involved CBP’s Special Response Team along with Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations tactical units.
🚨BREAKING🚨
CBP executed a federal search warrant today at a human smuggling hub in Los Angeles tied to national security threats. Two individuals were arrested during the operation, which was led by CBP’s Special Response Team with support from Border Patrol tactical units and… pic.twitter.com/9bhtCw2iWs
— CBP (@CBP) June 27, 2025
The raid followed the detention of seven Iranian nationals at the same location earlier in the week. All seven were reportedly listed on the FBI Terror Watchlist, according to CBP.
Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham told Fox News Digital that intelligence linked the smuggling operation to hostile foreign regimes, including Iran, and called it a “direct risk to U.S. national security.”
“President Trump is clear: the safety of the American people comes first,” Beckham added. “We are working to shut down smuggling networks and remove national security threats before they can do harm.”
CBP has not released the names of those arrested, and it remains unclear what charges they may face.