Newly released Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data reveals a disturbing trend: nearly 1,500 Iranian nationals have been apprehended after crossing the U.S. border illegally during Joe Biden’s time in office. Even more troubling? Roughly half of them—729 individuals—were released into the interior of the country.
Breitbart obtained the figures and broke them down by year: just 50 Iranians were caught during Biden’s first fiscal year in 2021, but that number ballooned to 800 by 2024. The sharp increase has alarmed national security watchers, especially given the context—Iranians are considered “Special Interest Aliens,” a classification used for individuals from nations linked to terrorism or hostile activities.
Compare that to President Trump’s first term, during which only 60 Iranians were apprehended. The Biden administration’s numbers represent a staggering 25-fold increase. And while officials say every Iranian entering illegally is flagged as a Special Interest Alien, they’ve remained tight-lipped about how many of those released were on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist.
This spike coincides with heightened concerns over Iranian aggression and infiltration. In recent weeks, Iran has exchanged fire with both the U.S. and Israel, and American officials have warned about the potential for sleeper cells and retaliatory attacks on U.S. soil.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued alerts warning that extremist actors may be motivated to launch attacks in response to the Middle East conflict. And yet, Biden’s border policies continue to enable easy entry for people from high-risk nations.
CBP documents also show that during Biden’s presidency, 394 individuals on the terrorist watchlist have been apprehended—though that figure includes people from a wide range of countries. Still, the lack of clarity about how many Iranian nationals appear on that list has fueled criticism that the administration is gambling with national security.
Officials disclosed that in fiscal year 2024 alone, 448 Iranian nationals were released after being apprehended. Critics argue this is precisely the kind of negligence that can lead to catastrophic consequences. With Iran continuing to sponsor terrorism worldwide—including a recent plot to assassinate former President Trump and an American journalist—many believe the U.S. government should be taking a far harder line.
The data arrives amid increased scrutiny of Biden’s immigration record. Since taking office, illegal border crossings have shattered all previous records. Republicans have repeatedly sounded the alarm that the southern border is not just an immigration crisis—it’s a security crisis.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and other state leaders have deployed National Guard units and state troopers in an effort to stem the flow, but with the federal government controlling immigration enforcement, state efforts can only do so much.
This latest revelation is already generating political heat in Washington. House Republicans are demanding answers from DHS and the Department of Justice about who was let in, what vetting was done, and where those individuals are now. So far, the administration has provided few specifics.
With a presidential election looming, the numbers may become a key flashpoint in the debate over who can be trusted to keep America safe. For now, though, the facts are plain: under Biden, 1,510 Iranians have crossed the southern border illegally—and hundreds have vanished into the country without explanation.