By Salma El-Sakka
Court documents unsealed Thursday show the Trump administration held secret talks with Iran on deporting Iranian nationals even as the two countries remained at war, according to an Associated Press exclusive. The documents reveal that as recently as mid-October, the administration planned to deport Iranians through an unnamed third country, though no specific date was set for the removals.
Judge Orders Advance Notice and Warns of Death Threat
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered the government to provide 24-hour notice of any finalized deportation plans to Iran or another country, and five days' written notice before any deportation is carried out. During an Oct. 15 hearing, Reyes warned that sending detainees to a country the U.S. is bombing and considers an enemy poses "a serious threat of certain death." Justice Department attorney Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel acknowledged the government is executing lawful removal orders but said no specific removal date had been set.
Detainees Notified of Imminent Deportation Flights
The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund, which brought the lawsuit, said at least a dozen Iranian detainees were notified over the past week of upcoming deportation to Iran, possibly as early as Sunday. The Iranian Interest Section at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington contacted detainees about a flight routed through Pakistan. One detainee attempted suicide upon learning of the possible return; he and another were moved to a facility often used as a final stop before removal. None of the contacted detainees received written notice from immigration authorities.
Lawsuit Alleges Sharing of Confidential Asylum Information
The lawsuit alleges U.S. immigration agencies shared confidential information about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government, violating regulations and endangering lives. Court filings depict a coordinated campaign to identify Iranians in ICE custody and pressure them to return — a departure from decades of diplomatic hostility. The Department of Homeland Security has denied sharing asylum records. Judge Reyes said it was possible information was shared but appeared skeptical of claims of a coordinated policy.
Historical Rarity and Recent Escalation
Deportations of Iranians to Iran have been historically rare due to the lack of diplomatic relations and fear of persecution. However, the Trump administration has aggressively pursued removals even to countries with icy or no diplomatic ties. Hundreds of emails show the two governments arranged three flights carrying more than 100 Iranians back to Iran in September and December 2025 and January 2026. The administration has also deported Iranians to third countries such as El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Central African Republic to circumvent diplomatic hurdles.
