The Iranian government announced the deportation of 120 of its citizens from the United States as part of a deal resulting from ongoing communication between Tehran and Washington. Iranian Foreign Ministry official Hossein Noushabadi stated that these individuals would return via Qatar within the next two days, with most having entered the U.S. illegally, primarily through Mexico.
Recent years have seen an increase in Iranians fleeing to the U.S., spurred by fears of persecution back home. Noushabadi indicated that some deportees possessed valid U.S. residency permits, suggesting the return was not fully voluntary.
The New York Times reported that the flight bringing the first batch of deportees to Iran was scheduled to arrive soon, marking a rare instance of cooperation between the U.S. and Iran, countries that do not share formal diplomatic ties.
This initial deportation is part of a larger arrangement, with Iranian officials anticipating the return of approximately 400 nationals in total. Similar bilateral deportation agreements have been pursued by the U.S. with other nations, highlighting a strategic shift in U.S. immigration policy under President Trump, who has vowed to significantly reduce immigration inflows and step up deportations.
Trump's enforcement strategies have drawn heavy criticism from human rights advocates, who express concern that many deported individuals may face dangers upon return to their home countries due to oppressive regimes. In Iran, the human rights situation remains precarious, with rising concerns over state-sanctioned violence and punitive measures against dissent.
As this situation evolves, it will be critical to monitor the human rights implications of these deportations and the broader impact on Iranian nationals risking their safety for a new life abroad.
