U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says four Iranians have been detained in Texas since the beginning of the month, adding that they are considered “special interest aliens.”
CBP sources told Fox News that an Iranian man in his 40s was detained Sunday morning in Eagle Pass, Texas, after crossing the southern border around 3 a.m.
The source added that the Iranian surrendered to border protection agents after making the illegal crossing.
The man, along with the other three Iranians, are considered “special interest aliens” because they come from countries identified by the United States government as having conditions that promote or protect terrorism or that potentially pose some type of threat to the national security of USA.
“Special interest aliens” also undergo additional investigations and interrogations after being detained.
Last week, CBP agents detained two Lebanese citizens in Eagle Pass, who were also considered “special interest aliens.”
CBP also detained an Egyptian man in his 40s. On the other hand, in the Rio Grande Valley sector, authorities have detained 19 Iranians and 17 Syrians since Monday.
Migrants cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on Saturday, September 30, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. James Keivom
The arrests come amid concerns about security and potential terrorism after Hamas-led terrorists invaded Israel on October 7, killing 1,300 Israelis and wounding thousands more.
Lebanon borders Israel and is home to the terrorist group Hezbollah, which like Hamas, is designated a terrorist group by the State Department and is also funded by Iran.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters last week that Iran had “broad complicity” with Hamas because of its support for the terrorist organization.
A migrant tries to pass under barbed wire after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on Monday, September 25, 2023. James Keivom
Still, the security council had seen no evidence showing that Iran was involved in planning, resourcing or training the Hamas attack last week.
The Department of Homeland Security’s threat assessment, released last month, noted that agents have encountered increasing numbers on the watch list and warned that “terrorists and criminal actors can take advantage of the high flow and security environment.” increasingly complex security to enter the United States.”
“Individuals with terrorist connections are interested in using established travel routes and permissive environments to facilitate access to the United States,” the assessment also says.
Stephen Sorace and Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn