NEW: Per senior CBP source, there were 1,504 Iranian nationals caught crossing the border illegally during the Biden administration from FY’21 through FY’24, 729 (48%) of whom were released into the U.S.

Year by year breakdown of Iranian nationals caught by Border Patrol at southern border:

FY’21 - 48
FY’22 - 197
FY’23 - 462
FY’24 - 797

Year by year breakdown of Iranians released into the U.S. by Border Patrol 

FY’21 - 12
FY’22 - 40
FY’23 - 229
FY’24 - 448

Additional color:

It’s unclear how many of these Iranians were on the terror watchlist, as the Biden administration repeatedly denied my FOIA requests and appeals for the data, citing the “privacy concerns” of the people on the list and “minimal public interest” in disclosing the data. 

There were over 2 million known/recorded gotaways at the border during the Biden administration. Because they were never caught, no way of knowing where they’re from. 

All Iranians are “special interest aliens” due to national security concerns, and they are supposed to receive enhanced vetting by DHS.

Almost half of the Iranians encountered by the Biden Border Patrol were released into the U.S.