Concerns Rise Over U.S. Crackdown on Iranian Immigrants

Key Takeaways

• ICE arrested 130 Iranian nationals in June 2025; total detained now 670 nationwide.
• Targets include suspected Hezbollah links, Iranian army sniper, criminals, and undocumented immigrants.
• Actions follow US-Iran tensions after strikes; legal support and rights awareness increase.

A wave of arrests and detentions directed at Iranian nationals in the United States 🇺🇸 has brought growing fear and uncertainty into many immigrant communities. In late June 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a series of actions that led to an unusually high number of Iranian nationals being detained across the country. These actions follow rising tensions with Iran 🇮🇷 after military strikes and concerns over potential threats inside the United States 🇺🇸. For many Iranian immigrants, legal residents, and asylum seekers, these events have made an already difficult situation much worse.

Sudden Surge in ICE Arrests of Iranian Nationals

During the last week of June 2025, ICE agents arrested 130 Iranian nationals throughout the United States 🇺🇸. This number stands out sharply compared to past months. In total, as of June 26, 670 Iranian nationals are now in ICE detention centers waiting for court hearings, possible removal, or legal review. This figure is much higher than earlier in the year.

According to officials, the recent arrests targeted a range of people, including:

• Individuals with alleged links to Hezbollah (which the U.S. government calls a terrorist group)
• A man with a background as a sniper in the Iranian army who came to the United States 🇺🇸 on a K-1 fiancé visa but did not become a legal resident
• People who had criminal histories, including charges such as grand larceny, drug crimes, and weapons violations
• Long-time undocumented immigrants who had ignored court orders to leave the country

In one case, Mehran Makari Saheli, who ICE said had ties to both the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hezbollah, was arrested near St. Paul, Minnesota. In another case, Ribvar Karimi, described by authorities as an Iranian army sniper from 2018 to 2021, was taken into custody in Alabama. There were also people with older criminal convictions, such as drug offenses from almost twenty years ago, who remained in the United States 🇺🇸 even after being told to leave.

Why Are These Actions Happening Now?

While there has been no official change in American immigration law specifically targeting Iranians, ICE’s focus and the way they are applying these laws have shifted. Federal officials say their actions are legal and aimed at removing those believed to be threats to public safety or national security. As DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out—and we are… We proactively deliver on President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland.”

Behind the scenes, the government’s daily average number of immigration arrests has increased a lot in 2025. Under President Trump’s administration, after he returned to office, daily arrests rose to around 1,200—almost double the daily average during President Biden’s term. The White House has announced a new goal of reaching 3,000 arrests per day.

Although these priorities are not written directly into law, the growing focus on Iranian nationals follows warnings from intelligence officials about sleeper cells or criminal threats within the United States 🇺🇸 linked to events overseas, especially after recent strikes in Iran 🇮🇷.

The Broader Global Context

These rapid enforcement actions are directly connected to recent international crises. In mid-June, Israel 🇮🇱 bombed several Iranian nuclear facilities. This led to Iran 🇮🇷 detaining at least 705 people accused of being involved in political or security offenses. On June 22, the United States 🇺🇸 carried out its own military strikes against targets believed to be tied to Iran’s nuclear program, triggering new security alerts at home.

In response to these events, the Department of Homeland Security activated the National Terrorism Advisory System, warning the public about increased risks of attacks inspired by recent developments or by groups believed to answer to Tehran.

American intelligence officers have voiced concerns about possible attacks inside the United States 🇺🇸. They point to both organized groups and lone individuals who could act on their own, drawing inspiration from calls to violence rooted in Iranian-linked organizations.

How Community Groups and Stakeholders Are Responding

Community groups, lawyers, and advocacy organizations are dealing with a huge rise in requests for legal help and information. Many are seeing more Iranian nationals asking for guidance on what to do if they are stopped by ICE or police, and how to protect their families from being split up.

Let’s look more closely at the groups affected and how different stakeholders are reacting:

Groups Most at Risk

For many, everyday activities now carry extra anxiety. Parents fear being separated from their children if they are detained. Students worry about what will happen if their visas are questioned or delayed. Some have even stopped going to the doctor or taking public transport, afraid they might end up getting questioned by ICE.

Federal Authorities

The federal government says these actions are part of a lawful response to increased threats. Officials insist they are using long-standing laws to remove people they see as dangers, not acting simply because individuals were born in Iran 🇮🇷. Still, authorities openly admit that the White House has made national security enforcement a bigger priority since the recent hostilities.

Advocacy and Civil Liberties Groups

Immigrant advocacy organizations and lawyers are concerned. They warn that broad crackdowns threaten rights protected by the U.S. Constitution, such as due process (the legal right to fair treatment). For example, many lawyers note that some of those being detained should qualify for relief—such as asylum—under current U.S. law, especially those whose crimes were minor or who face real danger if returned to Iran 🇮🇷. Others argue that heavy-handed enforcement may actually discourage people from seeking help even when they have a legitimate case for protection.

Security Analysts

Many national security experts support strong enforcement steps, arguing that robust checks are needed during times of high global tension. Some point to risks that criminal or extremist networks could use the U.S. immigration system to slip through undetected. To these officials, strict enforcement is a way to close gaps that may have opened in past years.

Personal Guidance for Iranian Nationals Facing Uncertainty

If you’re an Iranian national in the United States 🇺🇸, these rapidly changing conditions might make you worry about your safety, your family’s well-being, and your future. While every case is unique, there are some important steps you can take right away to protect yourself:

1. Double-Check Your Legal Status

Make sure all vital documents (such as visas, green cards, work permits, or asylum receipts) are current and valid. Expired documents give ICE and other agencies a reason to question or detain you. If you don’t know if your paperwork is up to date, contact a trusted attorney or legal aid group for help.

2. Find Legal Support

Seek advice from qualified immigration lawyers or legal clinics—such as those found in the National Immigration Legal Services Directory, your local Iranian-American Bar Association chapter, or other respected non-profits. An attorney can prepare you and your family for emergencies, explain your rights at each step, and help you plan if you are threatened with deportation.

3. Learn and Exercise Your Rights

Even during stressful encounters with ICE or the police, you have fundamental rights:

• You do not have to answer questions beyond giving your name or showing ID, unless you have a lawyer with you
• You have the right to refuse to sign any paper you don’t understand before speaking with your attorney
• You are entitled to request a bond hearing and defend yourself in court

Several online guides show these rights in plain language. The official USCIS “Know Your Rights” page is a good place to start.

4. Apply for Legal Relief Where Possible

If you fear you’ll be harmed or persecuted if sent back to Iran 🇮🇷, it may still be possible to start or restart an asylum claim. But you must speak with a lawyer first. Recent changes make some procedures risky for those with pending applications, but qualified attorneys can help you weigh the best course for your individual situation.

5. Connect with Community and Support Groups

Stay close to networks of family, friends, or community support groups. These organizations can share the latest updates, offer emotional help, and help you find resources if you need to move quickly or care for your loved ones.

VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that the best outcomes tend to come to those who keep up with news from sources like the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and immigrant advocacy outlets.

Looking to the Future

It’s likely that high-level enforcement against Iranian nationals will continue throughout summer and into the fall unless there is a major change in international relations. Lawmakers in Congress have talked about changing the rules again to tie visa reviews more directly to national security screenings, but so far none have passed new laws.

Advocates and attorneys say they are preparing legal challenges where they see what they believe is unfair treatment or abuse. Public campaigns, court battles, and letters to government agencies are increasing as many try to protect those most at risk—even if those people’s only “offense” was trying to escape trouble at home.

Understanding the Practical Impact

While there is no official law specifically naming Iranians in any new immigration ban, today’s reality is that ICE’s focus and the overall enforcement climate have shifted quickly. Anyone with even a small problem in their legal status—or a prior run-in with police, no matter how minor—faces greater risks compared to just a few weeks ago.

This new enforcement climate:

• Makes daily life more stressful for thousands of Iranian families in the United States 🇺🇸
• Brings more legal uncertainty for those waiting on asylum, visa renewals, or green cards
• Increases pressure on advocacy groups and legal aid services

For many, staying prepared, informed, and connected to trustworthy community leaders is the best way to stay safe. Recognizing official sources and credible legal advice can be the difference between a minor bump and a life-changing event.

Key Takeaways

• ICE has arrested and detained a much larger number of Iranian nationals in the past month, bringing the total to 670 people as of late June 2025
• Most arrests have targeted those suspected of national security threats, but longtime undocumented immigrants and people with older criminal convictions have also been swept up
• While there’s no new law naming Iranians for special enforcement, operational practices have changed
• Recent events in Iran 🇮🇷 and high tensions between the United States 🇺🇸 and Iran 🇮🇷 are providing the current background for these actions
• Community groups, lawyers, and advocacy organizations are stepping up efforts to help those affected
• Anyone in the Iranian community, whether undocumented, seeking asylum, or holding a visa or green card, should review their status and prepare for possible questions or delays

Where to Get More Information and Help

For more official information and updates or to seek help, consult these reliable resources:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• USCIS “Know Your Rights” section
• Local and national immigrant legal aid organizations

What you do next matters. By gathering information, staying in touch with authorities and helpers, and remembering your rights, you give yourself and your loved ones the best shot at safety through these difficult times.

### Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for enforcing immigration laws and detaining individuals.
Asylum Seekers → People requesting protection in the US due to fear of persecution in their home country.
National Security → Protection measures taken to defend a country from internal and external threats.
Undocumented Immigrants → Individuals living in a country without official legal status or proper authorization.
K-1 Fiancé Visa → A visa allowing a foreign fiancé to enter the US to marry a US citizen.

### This Article in a Nutshell

ICE arrested 130 Iranians in June 2025 amid US-Iran tensions. Detentions rose to 670, targeting suspected threats and undocumented immigrants. Legal groups warn of rights risks, urging status reviews and legal aid. Increased enforcement affects families, visa holders, and asylum seekers facing uncertainty and heightened immigration scrutiny nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com