ICE Collaborated with Iran to Deport Over 100 Nationals Amid War Preparations

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents coordinated directly with Iranian officials to deport over 100 individuals from the United States just before the onset of military operations against Iran. Internal emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal that ICE worked under orders from then-Acting Director Todd Lyons to facilitate these controversial charter flights.

The newly released documents, spanning May to November 2025, detail how ICE officials complied with Iranian requests and prepared three deportation flights despite the looming threat of war. The flights transported more than 100 people, including political activists and ethnic minorities, to Tehran under uncertain conditions. This marked a significant shift in long-standing U.S. immigration policy towards Iranians, who were previously allowed to remain in the country due to concerns about persecution.

The emails show that high-ranking Trump administration officials pressured ICE to expedite these deportations. Coordination between ICE and Iranian authorities often occurred through Qatari intermediaries but sometimes involved direct communication. One notable incident highlighted a mix-up where an individual not slated for deportation was mistakenly included on one of the flights.

Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), emphasized the sudden scrutiny faced by Iranians in the lead-up to the war. "It seemed clear that Iranians were under the microscope all of a sudden," he said. The timing of these deportations coincided with military planning stages, indicating a deliberate policy change driven by political considerations.

The flights carried individuals who had final removal orders but were previously exempted due to fears of persecution in Iran. Many deportees were transported against their will, including one man who attempted suicide before being forcibly placed on the flight. These actions underscore the humanitarian concerns raised by such deportations during a period of heightened tension and conflict.

ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) attaché in Tel Aviv played a crucial role in facilitating these flights. Joshua Coster coordinated with Qatari officials to secure landing permits and manage passenger manifests, highlighting the transnational network involved in these operations. The accidental inclusion of an unintended deportee on one flight further illustrates the complexity and potential for error within this system.

The release of these emails has sparked renewed debate about the ethical implications of such deportations during wartime conditions and raises questions about compliance with international human rights standards. As the United States continues to grapple with its approach towards Iran, these revelations offer critical insight into the broader context of U.S.-Iran relations and the impact on immigrant communities.