US to Deport 120 Iranians This Week Amid Immigration Crackdown

Iran announced on Tuesday that 120 of its nationals, currently in the United States, are scheduled to be deported and will return home this week as part of a rare agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Hossein Noushabadi, a consular affairs official at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, told local media that the deportations would take place “over the next couple of days.” He added that U.S. immigration authorities plan to deport around 400 Iranians in total, with most cases involving individuals who had entered the United States illegally.

Rare Diplomatic Agreement

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According to reports, this deportation arrangement marks a rare cooperation between the United States and Iran, countries with a longstanding history of political tension and mutual distrust. The New York Times reported that the agreement was reached after several months of negotiations between the two governments.

The deportations include some 100 Iranians who had applied for asylum in the United States, highlighting the Trump administration’s strict approach toward immigration enforcement. Officials say the deal reflects the U.S. government’s intention to carry out deportations even to countries where human rights concerns are often raised.

Flight and Logistics

The first group of deportees is expected to fly home on a U.S.-chartered aircraft. Reports indicate that the plane left the southern state of Louisiana on Monday evening, with a planned stopover in Qatar before arriving in Tehran later on Tuesday. The move comes as part of a broader U.S. immigration crackdown that has intensified under President Donald Trump’s administration.

No immediate comment was available from the U.S. State Department regarding the deportations.

Previous Deportations

Earlier this year, the United States had already deported several Iranian nationals, including several Christian Iranians, to Central American countries such as Costa Rica and Panama. These earlier actions reflected a broader U.S. strategy to reduce the number of migrants from countries with strict or complicated asylum situations.

Human rights organizations have frequently criticized the U.S. policy for deporting migrants to countries where safety and legal protections may be limited. Analysts say the current deportations to Iran may raise similar concerns due to the country’s strict legal and political environment.

Human Impact

The deportations are expected to have a significant impact on the individuals involved and their families. Many of the deportees had entered the United States legally but overstayed their visas, while others had crossed the border without authorization.

Legal experts emphasize that while deportation is a standard procedure under immigration law, sending individuals back to nations with limited human rights protections can have serious consequences for their safety, livelihood, and personal freedom.

For many of the Iranian nationals affected, returning to Iran could mean facing interrogation, legal penalties, or social pressures, particularly for those who had sought refuge or converted to minority religions while abroad.

Broader Context of U.S.-Iran Relations

The deportations come at a time when U.S.-Iran relations remain tense. Despite some efforts at diplomatic engagement, disagreements over nuclear programs, regional conflicts, and trade sanctions continue to strain relations.

The fact that both countries were able to reach an agreement on this deportation process demonstrates a rare instance of practical cooperation. Observers say it could serve as a precedent for handling similar cases in the future, although it does not signal a broader thaw in diplomatic ties.

Immigration Policy Under the Trump Administration

The deportation of 120 Iranians is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to enforce strict immigration policies. This includes deporting individuals even from countries where human rights conditions may be poor, reflecting a prioritization of immigration law enforcement over humanitarian considerations.

Critics argue that such policies disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including asylum seekers and religious minorities, and may undermine international norms on human rights and refugee protection. Supporters, however, maintain that enforcing immigration laws is essential for national security and the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.

Iranian authorities are expected to receive the deportees in Tehran and provide consular assistance to ensure their safe reintegration. Iranian officials have not specified the exact measures that will be taken, but have indicated that they are closely monitoring the process.

The United States has signaled that additional deportations could follow, with the remaining individuals being sent back in phases over the coming months. Observers are closely watching how these deportations are carried out, particularly regarding safety and adherence to international standards.

The first group of 120 Iranians is expected to land in Tehran later on Tuesday after the stopover in Qatar. This development represents the most significant deportation of Iranian nationals under the Trump administration to date and underscores the administration’s continued emphasis on strict immigration enforcement, even with nations that have challenging human rights environments.