The United States is preparing to deport around 400 Iranians as part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, according to a senior Iranian official. Most of the individuals reportedly entered the US illegally, including through Mexico, and will now be sent back following months of discussions between Washington and Tehran. This marks a rare instance of cooperation between the two countries despite their otherwise strained relations.
In the first stage, 120 Iranians are scheduled for deportation, with their arrival in Iran expected within one to two days. Reports indicate that a US-chartered flight departed Louisiana on Monday and was set to land in Iran via Qatar by Tuesday. While some of those being deported had volunteered to return after extended stays in detention centers, others were included in the process against their wishes, raising concerns about how the deportations are being handled.
Read more : Iran executes key Mossad spy amid rising tensions
Iran’s Foreign Ministry official Hossein Noushabadi emphasized that the US is acting in line with its new anti-immigration policies. He noted that even some Iranians who held valid residence permits were unexpectedly added to the deportation list due to rulings by the US immigration office. He urged Washington to ensure that the basic rights of Iranian migrants are respected during this process, stressing that every case should be handled fairly.
The move comes at a time when President Trump has pledged to deport record numbers of undocumented migrants, citing what he describes as an uncontrolled rise in illegal border crossings under his predecessor, Joe Biden. Despite these promises, the administration has faced difficulties in raising deportation levels, often turning to agreements with other countries to facilitate removals. Iran now joins this list through the latest arrangement.
Earlier this year, the US deported 119 individuals, including some Iranians, to Panama under a bilateral agreement. The current mass deportation plan, however, marks a significant escalation, highlighting Washington’s determination to enforce its immigration policies more aggressively. Observers say the move could have wider implications, as it shows the administration’s willingness to engage even with adversarial governments to meet its immigration goals.
Read more : Pakistan regrets UNSC rejection of resolution for Iran sanctions relief
While the White House and State Department have not publicly commented, the deportation of hundreds of Iranians underscores the complexities of balancing foreign relations with domestic policy enforcement. For many of those affected, the development represents an abrupt end to their stay in the US and the beginning of uncertain futures upon their return to Iran.