Border Patrol agents in Yuma, Arizona arrested over 10 Iranian citizens who attempted to enter the U.S. illegally. 

A Customs and Border Protection press release noted that “at approximately 6 p.m., Border Patrol agents encountered the group near San Luis, Arizona, on a bridge near County 21st Street and the Salinity Canal.  Agents determined the group had illegally crossed the international border into the U.S.  The group was arrested and taken to Yuma Station for processing.”

A total of 11 people –  five females and six males – attempted to cross the border on February 1st.

The apprehension represents a stark rise in Iranian nationals attempting to breach the southern border:

“Yuma Sector agents apprehended eight Iranian nationals in FY2020, compared to just 14 from all other border patrol sectors combined.  So far in FY2021, Yuma Sector agents have apprehended 14 nationals from Iran.”