U.S. Border Patrol Says Iraqi National Arrested With Expired Visa After Allegedly Trying To Buy Guns

According to a statement by the U.S. Border Patrol Houlton Sector, a "significant" arrest was made in Washington County at the end of October, when they say a man who was in the country illegally tried to buy guns with falsified documents.

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"Agents from the Calais, ME Border Patrol Station arrested an Iraqi National on October 20, 2025, who had overstayed his visa and was illegally present in the United States. This individual also provided false statements on background check paperwork as he attempted to purchase firearms from a local business."

Officials say the arrest was made in Ellsworth. The man had allegedly attempted to purchase a 9 mm pistol and an AK-47.

The Holden Police Department, while sharing the news on their Facebook Page, confirmed that the investigation began in Holden at some point before the man ended up in Ellsworth.

The case was ultimately turned over to the Border Patrol.

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The Bangor Daily News says the man, whose name has not yet been released, was arrested in the parking lot of the Ellsworth Home Depot.

This recent arrest comes on the heels of an announcement made last month by the U.S. Border Patrol Houlton Office.  On November 20th, officials stated they had seen an 'unprecedented' number of apprehensions along Maine's border by agents this year.

"The U.S. Border Patrol’s Houlton Sector achieved a historic milestone in fiscal year 2025, surpassing all previous apprehension records. As of October 1, agents apprehended 725 individuals illegally present in the United States, exceeding the prior record of 685 apprehensions set in 2001. These individuals represent a diverse range of origins, with 46 countries recorded."

According to their website, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP as it's called, employs more than 60,000 employees nationwide, tasked with the job of managing the U.S. borders by " keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade." They are also responsible for the seizure of illicit drugs that people attempt to smuggle into the country.