ICE officials reportedly maintained direct contact with Iranian representatives during three repatriation flights, with Qatar helping facilitate charter logistics
US immigration officials maintained a direct channel of communication with Iranian authorities to coordinate deportation flights, including making last-minute changes to passenger lists at Tehran’s request, according to newly released internal emails.
The records, obtained by the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) and reported by The Intercept and the Associated Press (AP), show that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) coordinated with Iranian representatives to arrange three repatriation flights that resulted in the removal of more than 100 Iranian nationals from the US.
“Per request from the Iran Embassy I added a few cases,” an unnamed ICE official wrote in an email before the first flight. “Iran has requested that I amend the previous manifest and expedite the removal process.”
Iranian officials sought changes to flight manifests
The internal correspondence shows that Iranian officials communicated directly with ICE personnel and requested changes to passenger manifests shortly before flights departed. These included adding or modifying individual names.
The coordination continued despite escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, including military exchanges involving the US, Israel and Iran.
ICE officials continued to treat the deportations as a priority even amid concerns over closed airspace and delays in issuing travel documents.
Direct communication between US and Iran
The records show that Qatar helped facilitate the charter flights through Doha, while ICE officials communicated directly with the “Director at the Iranian Embassy” and members of the “Iranian delegation” in the US.
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The emails also raise concerns about the handling of some detainees. At least one individual was reportedly placed on a flight manifest by mistake. Legal declarations filed by detainees in US federal court also said they were required to meet with Iranian government representatives while in ICE custody.
Rights groups question deportation process
Advocacy groups said the disclosures raise concerns about the treatment of Iranian asylum seekers and dissidents, arguing that the coordination appeared inconsistent with Washington’s public position towards Tehran.
“It demonstrates that the top priority here was to kick out as many people as possible by whatever means necessary,” Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council told AP.
The US Department of Homeland Security did not issue a public response to the email disclosures.