Full Breakdown
U.S. ICE Coordinated Deportations of Iranian Nationals Amid Rising Tensions
8/21/2026, 1:22:12 AM
Core Event: Three Deportation Flights (September 2025 – January 2026)
Internal communications obtained by the National Iranian American Council reveal that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) worked with Iranian officials to arrange three chartered flights that returned more than 100 Iranian nationals to Iran. The flights departed in September 2025, December 2025 and January 2026. Emails show ICE staff added or amended names on the passenger manifests at the request of the Iranian Embassy or its “Director,” and that at least one individual not on the final manifest was nevertheless boarded.
Background & Context
The coordination occurred despite a 12-day armed conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran from June 13 to June 24 2025. During that period, former acting ICE Director Todd Lyons labeled the removal of Iranian immigrants a “priority” in an internal email following President Donald Trump’s June 16 warning to “evacuate Tehran.” The effort aligns with a broader Trump-administration agreement announced in September 2025 that could see up to 400 Iranians returned, most of whom had entered the United States illegally via Mexico.
Data & Statistics
- Three flights: September 2025, December 2025, January 2026.
- Passengers: “more than 100” Iranians deported across the three flights (all sources).
- Logistics: Flights were chartered through Doha, Qatar, with some communications routed via Qatari officials.
Official Statements & Responses
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – In a July statement, DHS called the lawsuit alleging ICE shared asylum records “FALSE.”
- Marcos Charles, head of ICE removal operations – wrote “We need a plan forward ASAP” as ICE prepared to deport 58 detainees with final removal orders.
- Todd Lyons, former acting ICE director – described the deportations as a “priority” during the June 2025 conflict.
Criticism & Opposition
They warn that returning asylum seekers to Iran exposes them to potential retaliation. The criticism is echoed in multiple reports that asylum-seeker status was among those deported, and that at least one individual was mistakenly placed on a flight despite not appearing on the manifest.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Voluntary vs. forced return – Emails do not clarify whether the individuals added to the manifest volunteered for repatriation or were compelled.
- Exact passenger count – Sources consistently cite “more than 100,” but no precise figure is provided.
- Scope of information sharing – The lawsuit alleges ICE disclosed confidential asylum details; DHS denies the claim, and the emails only show that Iranian officials possessed “intimate details” about asylum claims, without confirming illegal disclosure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have no idea how the case/person got through on the plane.” — S. official, an ICE official
- “We need a plan forward ASAP,” — Marcos Charles
- “It demonstrates that the top priority here was to kick out as many people as possible by whatever means necessary,” — Jamal Abdi, the president of the National Iranian American Council
The released correspondence underscores a rare instance of operational cooperation between two adversarial governments, raising legal and ethical questions about deportation practices during periods of armed conflict and the protection of asylum seekers.
