Court Papers Show Trump Held Talks With Iran on Deportations

The Trump administration discussed deporting Iranians with Iranian officials after the war began, according to court documents unsealed Thursday.

• Since February, ICE has been in contact with Iran over travel documents and removals.
• ICE gave Iran lists of detained Iranians it wanted to deport, an official testified.
• 100+ Iranians were flown to Iran on three flights before the war.
• 12 or more detainees were told this week they face deportation, a legal group says.

Why it matters: Deportations to Iran have historically been rare because the countries lack diplomatic relations. Deportees could also face persecution there. The new records show contacts with Tehran continued during active hostilities.

• U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said returnees would face, at a minimum, "a serious threat of certain death."
• Justice Department attorney Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel said, "The government is executing lawful orders of removal."

How 18 sources split on this story

Where they split: The dispute is whether US agencies shared confidential asylum records with Iran: the plaintiffs allege it, DHS denies it, and the judge appeared skeptical that a coordinated policy exists.

What’s next: Reyes ordered 24-hour notice of finalized deportation plans and five days' notice before any removal. She warned of contempt proceedings if the administration violates the order.

• The Justice Department moved to dissolve the order, arguing the plaintiff lacks standing.
• The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund must respond by Nov. 11 if it chooses to.
• Will a deportation flight through Pakistan proceed as soon as this Sunday, as some detainees were told?
• Which third country would handle the transfers, and when?
• Did any confidential asylum information reach Iranian officials?