Deportation Flight of Iranians From U.S. Canceled at Last Minute, Attorney Says

A deportation flight carrying Iranian nationals to Iran by way of Pakistan was called off without explanation on November 8, after at least eight Iranians had boarded in Mesa, Arizona, according to attorney Ali Rahnama of the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund. The fund sued in July, alleging the government illegally shared confidential asylum information with Iranian officials. U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes, who has not ruled, ordered 24 hours’ notice of finalized plans and five days’ written notice before any deportation of Iranians, and the fund says the administration may have violated that order. ICE declined to discuss “prospective removal operations.”