The United States government under former President Donald Trump is preparing to send another group of Iranians back to their home country this Sunday, sources familiar with the plan revealed. This deportation flight marks the second under a rare arrangement between Washington and Tehran, two countries that currently lack formal diplomatic ties. The operation is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to increase the removal of undocumented migrants.
Human rights advocates have raised urgent alarms over the deportation, warning that many of the individuals facing removal fled Iran to escape persecution, government repression, or threats to their personal safety. A recent U.S. State Department report highlighted ongoing human rights challenges in Iran, including restrictions on freedom of expression, arbitrary detention, and harsh punishments for political dissent.
Individuals at Risk
One Iranian man expected to be on the flight spoke anonymously about the grave danger he would face if returned. He explained that he fled his home country because of his sexual orientation, which is criminalized in Iran and may even carry the death penalty. He recounted experiencing torture and sexual abuse prior to leaving, and described additional attacks, robbery, and hardships while traveling to the United States.
After entering the U.S. in the final days of the Biden administration, he was detained by immigration authorities, reporting mistreatment while in custody. He has filed for asylum, but the status of his application remains unclear. “Returning to Iran would put my life in immediate danger,” he said, emphasizing that he came to the United States seeking the chance to live safely and freely.
The National Iranian American Council, a nonprofit advocacy group, has urged the U.S. government to halt the deportation. Jamal Abdi, the organization’s president, warned that forcing individuals back to Iran could expose them to extreme harm and undermine their human rights, especially for those who fled persecution.
Flight Route and International Reactions
Sources indicate that the flight is expected to stop in Kuwait before continuing on to Iran. The first deportation under this agreement took place in September. Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) declined to provide confirmation of the operation, citing safety concerns for both the passengers and the flight. The Department of Homeland Security and Iran’s mission to the United Nations were also contacted for comment.
Advocacy groups, attorneys, and Iranian-American organizations continue to call for the U.S. government to carefully review the asylum claims of those scheduled for deportation. Many warn that without proper protections, these individuals could face imprisonment, torture, or even execution upon returning home.
This latest round of deportations highlights the ongoing tension between U.S. immigration enforcement policies and the need to protect vulnerable migrants fleeing life-threatening conditions. Human rights advocates emphasize that ensuring safety for asylum seekers must remain a priority, particularly for those fleeing countries with documented human rights violations.
