ICE Emails Reveal Coordination With Iran On Deportation Flights
3 hours ago
Newly released emails show U.S. immigration officials quietly coordinated with Iranian officials to deport more than 100 Iranians from the United States on three flights in late 2025 and early 2026.
The emails, obtained and released by the National Iranian American Council, show Iranian officials had significant influence over the process, including requesting changes to passenger lists and communicating directly with U.S. officials about detainees scheduled for removal.
The deportations were treated as a priority by the Trump administration and continued despite heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The flights were arranged with assistance from Qatar, which served as an intermediary between the two countries.
Human rights advocates have raised concerns about returning people to Iran, particularly asylum-seekers and political dissidents who could face persecution by the Iranian government. The emails also raised questions about whether confidential information involving asylum cases was provided to Iranian authorities.
The Department of Homeland Security strongly denies allegations that confidential asylum records were shared with Iran. The administration has defended the removals as part of President Trump's broader effort to deport immigrants who are not legally permitted to remain in the United States.
The emails, obtained and released by the National Iranian American Council, show Iranian officials had significant influence over the process, including requesting changes to passenger lists and communicating directly with U.S. officials about detainees scheduled for removal.
The deportations were treated as a priority by the Trump administration and continued despite heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The flights were arranged with assistance from Qatar, which served as an intermediary between the two countries.
Human rights advocates have raised concerns about returning people to Iran, particularly asylum-seekers and political dissidents who could face persecution by the Iranian government. The emails also raised questions about whether confidential information involving asylum cases was provided to Iranian authorities.
The Department of Homeland Security strongly denies allegations that confidential asylum records were shared with Iran. The administration has defended the removals as part of President Trump's broader effort to deport immigrants who are not legally permitted to remain in the United States.
