A quiet channel between ICE and Iran shaped deportation flights, newly released emails show
LOS ANGELES (AP) — U.S. immigration officials worked with Iran to deport Iranians in 2025, newly released emails show, revealing a working relationship between the U.S. and Iranian governments despite tensions mounting between the…
U.S. immigration officials collaborated with their Iranian counterparts to deport Iranian nationals, according to newly released emails. The correspondence, obtained by the National Iranian American Council, sheds light on a working relationship between the two nations amidst escalating tensions. Over 100 Iranians were transported to Iran on three separate flights in September 2025, December 2025, and January 2026.
The emails reveal that Iranian officials had some sway over which immigrants were returned to Iran, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials complied with last-minute alterations to deportation lists at Iran's request. One unnamed ICE official admitted to adding some cases to the deportation list after meeting with the Iranian Embassy director.
Subsequently, another official altered the list following a meeting with the same Iranian official. The Iranian Embassy continued to request changes even as the flights departed, though some of these requests were denied. Despite internal acknowledgments that Iranians were fleeing Iran following the deadly June 2025 war with the U.S. and Israel, coordination for the flights remained a top priority.
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