Key facts
- Newly released emails show U.S. immigration officials collaborated with Iran on deportation flights in late 2025 and early 2026.
- Iranian officials had influence over deportation lists, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials making last-minute changes.
- The deportations occurred despite escalating tensions and a conflict between the U.S. and Iran in June 2025.
- Human rights activists have criticized the deportations, citing Iran's pattern of persecution.
- At least one individual was deported who was not on the final manifest, according to the emails.
Newly released emails reveal a working relationship between U.S. immigration officials and Iran to deport Iranians, even as tensions mounted between the two countries. The emails, obtained by the National Iranian American Council, detail how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) collaborated with Iranian officials to arrange for over 100 Iranians to be flown back to Iran on three separate flights in late 2025 and early 2026.
These communications show that Iranian officials had influence over the deportation lists, with ICE officials heeding last-minute changes. One ICE official noted adding cases per request from the Iranian Embassy, and another mentioned meeting with the "Director at the Iranian Embassy" to amend a manifest. Coordination sometimes occurred directly with Iranian officials and other times through Qatari intermediaries.
The deportations occurred even as the U.S. and Israel were engaged in a conflict with Iran in June 2025. Emails suggest pressure to carry out these deportations came from high levels of the Trump administration, with ICE officials prioritizing repatriation despite warnings that removals would be difficult due to the ongoing conflict, closed Iranian airspace, and Iranians fleeing the country.
This collaboration marks a significant departure from decades of U.S. policy that welcomed Iranian dissidents and exiles. Human rights activists have criticized the deportations, citing Iran's documented pattern of violent persecution. The emails also indicate that at least one individual was deported who was not on the final manifest, raising further questions about the process.