Court documents unsealed Thursday show the Trump administration held secret talks with Iranian officials to deport Iranians held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, even as war continued in the region. The records emerged from a lawsuit alleging U.S. immigration agencies coordinated with the Iranian government to identify detainees and pressure them to return, sharing confidential information in violation of immigration regulations.
According to the filings, the administration maintained contact with Tehran during the war to arrange travel documents and explore "possible avenues for removal." Emails show the two governments worked together to fly more than 100 Iranians back to Iran on three flights between September 2025 and January 2026. Deportations to Iran have historically been rare due to the lack of diplomatic relations and the risk of persecution.
During an October 15 hearing, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes sharply questioned the policy, noting the president had recently described Iran as lawless and an enemy that murdered tens of thousands of protesters. She asked how the U.S. could send individuals back to face what she called a serious threat of certain death.
Justice Department attorney Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel responded, "Yes, your honor. The government is executing lawful orders of removal." The judge ordered the government to provide 24-hour notice of any finalized deportation plans and five days' written notice before any removal is carried out.
The Department of Homeland Security has denied sharing asylum application records with the Iranian government but did not immediately comment on the latest filings. The lawsuit argues the coordination marks a marked departure from decades of diplomatic hostility between the two nations.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
English (US)·