Judge rebukes plan to deport Iranians

Federal Judge Ana Reyes issued a sharp rebuke to the Trump administration on October 15 after learning the government is preparing to deport Iranian nationals to their homeland despite an active war between the two countries. The revelation emerged during a two-hour court hearing that focused on the handling of confidential information and removal logistics for asylum seekers.

The dispute stems from a lawsuit filed by the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund, which alleges the government is sharing sensitive data about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government. During the proceedings, Department of Justice attorney Dimitar Georgiev confirmed a shift in policy regarding the deportation of these individuals.

Georgiev stated that while the administration answered "no" in August when asked about planned removals to Iran, the answer had changed by the time of the October hearing. He confirmed that the government was actively making plans to deport Iranian nationals to Iran via third countries.

Judge Reyes questioned the logic of sending people to a nation with which the United States is currently engaged in military conflict. She noted that the president had recently described Iran as essentially lawless and asked if the government was telling the court that it would send individuals back to face a serious threat of death.

The judge highlighted that the United States has bombed Iran and may continue to do so, describing the situation as akin to sending Americans back to Nazi Germany in 1942. She emphasized that the individuals are in the care and custody of the U.S. government.

Court documents indicate that the U.S. government has been coordinating with representatives of the Iranian government to arrange these removals. The Iranian Interest Section in Washington, D.C., sent officials to U.S. detention centers to meet with detainees. In California and Arizona, Iranian detainees were offered these meetings but refused, so no discussions took place.

Georgiev explained the proposed logistics during the hearing. He said the U.S. would facilitate travel for the detainees to a third country. From there, the government of Iran would take over and facilitate the travel from that third country into Iran.

In response to the disclosure, Judge Reyes ordered the government to provide at least five days' advance notice before any individual is placed on a transport vehicle or plane bound for removal. She also mandated 24 hours' notice for any finalized removal plan.

The judge warned that she would hold every person associated with a violation of these orders personally accountable. She stated that she would immediately initiate contempt proceedings if the notice requirements were not met.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the new removal plans and the judge's orders.