The Trump administration has deported 120 Iranians, some of whom reportedly entered the U.S. illegally after a deal between the U.S. and Tehran was reached. An Iranian official shared that the immigrants’ flight departed from Louisiana on Monday night, with an anticipated arrival in Iran through Qatar sometime Tuesday. U.S. officials have also confirmed this plan.
This appears to be the initial step in a broader strategy to deport approximately 400 Iranians. Reports suggest this move aligns with a wider enforcement push regarding illegal immigration. Earlier this year, for instance, some migrants from various countries, including Iran, were sent back to Panama under a separate accord.
In a statement, Hossein Noushabadi, Director of Iran’s Foreign Ministry’s Congress, mentioned that the first phase involved deporting 120 Iranians who entered the U.S. via Mexico.
The deal itself represents a rare moment of cooperation between Iran and the U.S. and has come amidst increasing tensions following a recent attack on an Iranian nuclear facility. An Iranian official indicated that discussions leading to this deportation agreement spanned several months.
Even though there’s minimal collaboration between Washington and Tehran generally, this arrangement coincides with President Trump’s broader efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.
Reports on the deportees indicate that while specific identities remain unclear, the group includes both men and women, some of whom were couples. There were claims that a portion of the deportees volunteered to leave after spending time in detention centers, though not everyone did so willingly. Reports also stated that most of those deported had their asylum requests denied or hadn’t had their cases reviewed yet.
Noushabadi urged the U.S. to acknowledge Iran’s immigration rights and uphold the principles of international law regarding citizenship. He emphasized the importance of adhering to fair judicial processes and human rights declarations.
Some Iranian officials remarked that while the individuals did leave Iran legally, the method of their entry into the U.S. was problematic. However, they asserted that their return would not encounter barriers, as Iran supports its citizens abroad.
Facing an uncertain situation upon returning to Tehran, the deportees contend with a regime notorious for human rights violations, especially against women. Additionally, Iran is grappling with severe economic challenges, such as high inflation and rising unemployment rates.
Fox News Digital has reached out to both the White House and State Department for their views on this matter.
