What we know
What we know: AP Exclusive: Trump administration held talks with Iran on deporting Iranians during the war
Compiled Nov 5
What we know
- Trump administration held secret talks with Iran about deporting Iranians while the war in Iran was ongoing, according to newly unsealed court documents.
- As of mid-October, the administration had plans to deport Iranians through an unnamed third country.
- A judge ordered the government to give 24-hour notice of finalized deportation plans and five days' written notice before any deportation to Iran or another country.
- The administration kept contacts with Iranian officials during the war to submit travel documents and discuss 'possible avenues for removal.'
- A lawsuit alleges U.S. immigration agencies shared confidential information about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government.
- Hundreds of emails show U.S. and Iranian officials coordinated to fly more than 100 Iranians back to Iran on three flights in September, December and January.
What we don’t know yet
- DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- It was unclear when the administration intended to carry out the deportations.
- The third country through which deportations were planned was not named in the documents.
- DHS has denied that it is sharing asylum application records with the Iranian government.
Open questions
- Which third country is being considered for deporting Iranians?
- Will DHS respond to the allegations of sharing asylum data with Iran?
- How will the court enforce the notice requirements for future deportations?
- What protections, if any, exist for Iranians facing deportation back to Iran?
Drawn from the Associated Press report. “What we don’t know” lists only what the reporting itself flags as unresolved.