Fact Check: "Iranian nationals have been detained in the U.S. for immigration violations."
What We Know
Recent reports confirm that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained multiple Iranian nationals for immigration violations. Specifically, on June 22, 2025, ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals in a series of operations across several states, including Minnesota and Mississippi. Among those detained was Mehran Makari Saheli, who has connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization (CBS News). The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, with officials stating that these individuals posed threats to public safety due to their criminal backgrounds and immigration status (DHS).
Analysis
The claim that Iranian nationals have been detained in the U.S. for immigration violations is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The CBS News report details the arrests, including the backgrounds of some of the individuals detained, highlighting that several had prior criminal convictions (CBS News). The Department of Homeland Security also confirmed these arrests, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to target individuals deemed as threats (DHS).
The reliability of these sources is high; CBS News is a well-established news organization with a reputation for thorough reporting, and the Department of Homeland Security is a government agency responsible for immigration enforcement. Both sources provide detailed accounts of the arrests, including the context of heightened security concerns following geopolitical tensions involving Iran.
However, it is essential to note that while the arrests were framed within a context of national security, no specific terrorism plots were linked to these individuals at the time of their arrests (CBS News). This distinction is crucial for understanding the broader implications of these detentions, as it reflects the intersection of immigration enforcement and national security.
Conclusion
The claim that "Iranian nationals have been detained in the U.S. for immigration violations" is True. The evidence from credible news sources and government reports confirms that ICE has indeed arrested multiple Iranian nationals for immigration-related offenses, some of whom have criminal backgrounds and connections to organizations designated as terrorist entities by the U.S. government.
Sources
- ICE Arrests 11 Iranian Nationals Illegally in the U.S. Over the Weekend - DHS
- ICE arrests 11 Iranian nationals in 48 hours - CBS News
- Iranian Green Card Holder Detained After Immigration Hearing Delayed - Visa Verge
- ICE arrested 11 Iranians in the U.S. as Middle East tensions flared - USA Today
