Fastrack · Iran Deportation Flight Scuttled, Attorney Says

A deportation flight of Iranian nationals headed toward Iran was canceled Sunday morning, according to an attorney for some detainees. No reason was given.

8 or more Iranians boarded the plane in Mesa, Arizona, attorney Ali Rahnama said.
3 earlier flights deported more than 100 Iranians from September 2025 to January 2026.
About a dozen detainees were told last week of a planned Pakistan-Iran flight.
1 passenger volunteered to return after nearly two years in detention, Rahnama said.

Why it matters: Judge Reyes ordered the government to give 24 hours' notice of finalized removal plans. She also required five days' written notice before any deportation.

The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund argues the administration may have skipped that notice.
The group's lawsuit alleges the U.S. shared asylum seekers' confidential data with Iranian officials.

The story so far

2 steps · since Nov 5

Nov 5Court Papers Show Trump Held Talks With Iran on Deportations18 sources
Nov 8Iran Deportation Flight Scuttled, Attorney SaysYou are hereLatest

How 9 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 9 sources

9 sources · 9 articles · 56% Left coverage

Where they split: The dispute is whether deporting Iranians to Iran during wartime is a lawful enforcement step, as DHS says, or a danger to returnees, as the advocacy group says.

Center coverage, 2 sources: The center reports the cancellation as a procedural development in pending litigation, leaning on the attorney's account.

KSAT 12 San Antonio5hDeportation flight of Iranians from US scuttled at last minute, attorney says Associated Press5hDeportation flight of Iranians from US scuttled at last minute, attorney says

Left coverage, 5 sources: The left frames the canceled flight as a near-miss in an enforcement push that critics say endangers returnees during a war.

HuffPost1hDeportation Flight Of Iranians From US Scuttled At Last Minute, Attorney Says Los Angeles Times2hDeportation flight of Iranians from U.S. scuttled at last minute MSNBC12hTrump administration moves to deport Iranians back to their war-torn country, group says Raw Story15hOvernight filing accuses Trump admin of rushing to violate court orders in Iranians case The Independent5hDeportation flight of Iranians from US scuttled at last minute, attorney says

Right coverage, 2 sources: The right runs the same wire report, with DHS's position that it is using all lawful options for large-scale deportations.

NTD43mDeportation Flight of Iranians From US Scuttled at Last Minute, Attorney Says Newsmax6hUS Cancels Deportation Flight to Iran Amid War

What’s next: The government filed documents in the case Sunday, but they are sealed from public view.

DHS declined to confirm future flights, citing a policy against discussing upcoming removals.
Why was the flight canceled, and will it be rescheduled?
How many of the deportees, beyond one, chose to leave voluntarily?
Did the government give the court the notice Judge Reyes required?