Trump Administration Held Secret Deportation Talks With Iran
The Trump administration coordinated secret deportation flights for Iranian nationals through a third country despite an ongoing war between the two nations.
Court documents unsealed on November 5, 2026, reveal that the Donald Trump administration held secret talks with Iranian officials to coordinate the deportation of Iranian nationals. Despite an ongoing war between the two countries, the administration maintained contacts as recently as mid-October to arrange travel documents and identify removal avenues, including the use of an unnamed third country.
The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit alleging that U.S. immigration agencies shared confidential asylum seeker information with the Iranian government. While the Department of Homeland Security denies these claims, evidence includes emails showing the coordination of over 100 deportations between September 2025 and January 2026. At least 12 detainees were recently notified of upcoming flights to Iran via Pakistan.
Judge Ana Reyes has ordered the government to provide 24-hour notice of finalized plans and five days' written notice before any deportations occur. She warned of contempt proceedings if the order is violated, characterizing the situation as sending individuals in U.S. custody to a country that is a "declared enemy of this country."
