The first group of approximately 400 Iranians will be deported back to Iran this week, according to a U.S. and Iranian official. A second batch of 120 individuals is expected in the next two days. The deportees, mostly undocumented migrants who entered the U.S. through Mexico, are set to arrive in Qatar on Tuesday before being flown to Iran.
Hossein Noushabadi, head of consular affairs at Iran’s foreign ministry, stated that the Iranian government has requested the U.S. “be sensitive in respecting the rights of Iranian immigrants.” He mentioned that Iran maintains an “interest protection office” within the Pakistani embassy in Washington, D.C.
A U.S.-chartered flight departed Louisiana on Monday, with deportees scheduled to arrive in Qatar late Tuesday for transit to Tehran. The White House and U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The UNHCR expressed concern, noting that authorities had not consulted the agency and emphasizing principles of asylum access and non-refoulement.
Some Iranians voluntarily left after months in detention, while others were deported against their will, according to reports. Noushabadi noted that some returnees held valid permits but were included in the list due to U.S. immigration decisions, with their consent obtained for departure.
