🚨 DOJ on ‘High Alert’ Over Iranian Nationals Living Illegally in the U.S., Pam Bondi Confirms Amid Rising Iran Tensions

In the wake of intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, U.S. officials are ramping up domestic vigilance — particularly when it comes to Iranian nationals who have entered the country illegally.

During a tense House budget hearing on Monday, Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged that the Department of Justice is on “high alert” over concerns of potential security threats linked to Iranian nationals inside the U.S. Bondi’s statement followed sharp questioning from Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who raised alarms about whether Iranian “sleeper cells” may already be embedded within the United States.

While Bondi declined to provide specifics in a public forum, her comments echoed an internal warning issued just one day earlier by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which stated the Iran conflict is “causing a heightened threat environment” in the U.S.

1,500 Iranians Arrested at Border, Over 700 Released

According to senior Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources, 1,504 Iranian nationals have been arrested at the southern U.S. border during President Joe Biden’s term. Alarmingly, 729 of those individuals were reportedly released into the country.

While Bondi said she did not have data on how many Iranian nationals currently residing in the U.S. have been convicted of crimes, she confirmed that “everyone is looking at that very closely.”

“We are on high alert,” Bondi told lawmakers. “And I can tell you this is being monitored with extreme care.”

Homeland Security officials have pointed to the risk of “independent mobilization to violence” should Iranian leaders call for action from sympathizers abroad. The DHS also flagged the potential for increased cyberattacks and antisemitic violence.

Sleeper Cell Fears Remain Unspoken but Understood

When pressed by Rep. Gonzales on whether the DOJ is actively tracking Iranian “sleeper cells”, Bondi responded cautiously:

“I can’t talk about that in this setting.”

The remark, while vague, underscored the seriousness of the intelligence community’s concern. The term “sleeper cells” generally refers to clandestine operatives who remain inactive until ordered to act — a chilling prospect if aligned with hostile foreign regimes.

National security experts warn that such cells could be triggered in the event of further escalation in the Middle East. With tensions between the U.S. and Iran at their highest in years — including recent direct strikes between the two — American authorities are bracing for possible retaliatory activity on domestic soil.

Context: Escalating Military Conflict in the Middle East

Bondi’s warning came just days after the Trump administration ordered airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating a regional conflict that quickly reverberated globally. Iran responded Monday with a missile attack on a U.S. military base near Doha, Qatar.

Former President Donald Trump — now President-elect again following the 2024 election — told reporters that the Iranians gave “early notice” of their attack, and no U.S. casualties were reported.

Later that evening, Trump announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was set to take effect within hours. But many remain skeptical about whether the truce will hold, given past failures and the volatile nature of the situation.

DOJ Ties Iran to Assassination Plots on U.S. Soil

The concern about Iranian nationals in the U.S. is not without precedent.

Just last year, the DOJ unsealed charges against three men allegedly connected to a murder-for-hire plot that prosecutors say originated in Iran. The scheme reportedly targeted Donald Trump, as well as a prominent journalist known for criticizing the Iranian regime. The plan, orchestrated before the 2024 election, was believed to involve Iran’s notorious Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

One suspect, an Afghan national, remains at large. Authorities allege he was acting as an agent for the IRGC, receiving payments to carry out the assassinations.

“The charges announced today expose Iran’s continued brazen attempts to target U.S. citizens — including President-elect Donald Trump — and dissidents who criticize the regime in Tehran,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray at the time.

Domestic Fallout: Public Anxiety and Political Finger-Pointing

The revelation that hundreds of Iranian nationals have been released into the U.S. amid these threats has fueled a political firestorm. Critics of the Biden administration argue that immigration and border enforcement failures are directly compromising national security.

“This is exactly what we warned about,” Rep. Gonzales said. “Our enemies are watching, and our border is wide open.”

Bondi, while not directly blaming any administration, appeared to support a more assertive security posture moving forward.

Biden Admin Silent as Concerns Mount

So far, the Biden administration has remained relatively quiet on the explosive testimony from Bondi. White House officials have reiterated their trust in DHS and DOJ to monitor domestic threats, but critics say that’s not enough.

Security experts argue that transparency and urgency are critical as more revelations come to light.

“We can’t afford to be reactive. We have to be proactive,” said Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, in an appearance on Fox News earlier Monday. “This is about protecting innocent American lives.”

Cyber Threats, Lone Wolves, and the Road Ahead

In its recent bulletin, DHS did not just warn of imported threats — but also of radicalized individuals already living in the U.S. who may act independently. Whether inspired by Iranian rhetoric or fueled by antisemitic ideologies, these so-called “lone wolves” remain a top concern for intelligence agencies.

Meanwhile, cybersecurity teams have been told to prepare for an uptick in attacks on critical infrastructure, banking networks, and federal agencies.

Bondi assured lawmakers that both federal and state agencies are coordinating closely, but she emphasized that vigilance and preparation are key.

Conclusion: A Nation on Edge

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s remarks were sobering: America is on high alert, and the threat is real. With hundreds of Iranian nationals having crossed into the country — and with ongoing global tension involving Iran’s leadership — the pressure on U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies has never been higher.

While the promise of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel offers a glimmer of hope, U.S. national security officials aren’t letting their guard down.

Whether or not “sleeper cells” already lie in wait within America’s borders remains unclear. But one thing is certain: in today’s climate, assumptions of safety are no longer enough.