Iranian American Legal Defense Fund Sues Trump Administration Over Asylum Data

The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund and Public Citizen filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the Trump administration illegally shared confidential asylum records of Iranian nationals with the Iranian government. The complaint claims that starting in March 2025, U.S. officials exchanged protected data—including political opinions and familial relationships—via mail and monthly meetings coordinated by the State Department through the Pakistani embassy. This exchange allegedly continued despite the start of a war with Iran in February 2026.

Plaintiffs assert that Immigration and Customs Enforcement forced asylum applicants to meet with Iranian officials who possessed specific knowledge of their applications. The lawsuit argues these disclosures expose pro-democracy activists, LGBTQ individuals, and religious minorities to torture, interrogation, or death upon deportation. Records indicate that between September 2025 and January 2026, the U.S. deported between 115 and 125 Iranians via three flights, including two departing from the Mesa Gateway Airport facility.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security denied the allegations, stating that claims of sharing asylum records are false and that the agency only facilitates lawful consular access to obtain travel documents. The lawsuit names Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin as defendants, seeking a court order to stop the data sharing and suspend further deportations until affected individuals are notified.