Following the U.S. strikes that reportedly obliterated three of Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iran’s Ayatollah Kermani is now vowing revenge against America. And thanks in part to the border policies of the last administration, security experts say it may be easier for Iran to strike back than most realize.
During Joe Biden’s time in office, the border crisis reached levels the country had never seen before. Millions of foreign nationals crossed into the United States, with many released into the country without proper vetting. Among those were thousands of Iranians — individuals who could, according to security officials, pose a national security threat.
Former Trump Border Czar Tom Homan sounded the alarm on Sunday, warning that even federal authorities aren’t sure how many Iranians may have entered the country over the past several years.
Speaking to Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, Homan cited U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data showing that 1,272 Iranian nationals were caught and released during the Biden years — compared to zero under Trump.
“Under Joe Biden, we had over 10 million people cross that border,” Homan said. “But my biggest concern from day one, beyond the fentanyl, beyond the sex trafficking of women and children, were the 2 million known gotaways.”
“Over 2 million crossed the border, and we don’t know who they are or where they came from because Border Patrol is overwhelmed,” he continued. “That’s what created the biggest national security vulnerability this country’s ever seen.”
Homan pointed to Border Patrol intelligence that found prayer mats and identification documents from Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Syria near the southern border — clear evidence, he said, that potential bad actors have entered the U.S.
"Under Joe Biden, there was 1,272 nationals of Iran released into the country" after crossing the border illegally, says @RealTomHoman.
"Compare that to the Trump Administration — ZERO." pic.twitter.com/UhX6WinI0C
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 22, 2025
And Homan isn’t the only one warning of this danger. A memo from CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott confirms that thousands of Iranian nationals have been documented entering the U.S. illegally, and “countless more” may be among the gotaways. The memo urges personnel to stay alert, warning that the threat of sleeper cells or sympathizers acting on behalf of Iran has never been higher.
While experts agree that Iran doesn’t have the capability to launch a conventional military strike on U.S. soil, there’s growing concern that these sleeper cells could be used to target Americans in response to the strikes.
And the sad truth? This vulnerability wasn’t created overnight. It’s the result of border policies that put national security second — policies that critics say left the door wide open.
If Iran chooses to retaliate through these hidden networks, one thing will be clear: the United States’ greatest weakness was a preventable one.