A quiet channel between ICE and Iran shaped deportation flights, newly released emails show

U.S. immigration officials worked with Iran to deport Iranians in 2025, newly released emails show, revealing a working relationship between the U.S. and Iranian governments despite tensions mounting between the countries.

The emails show that Iranian officials had some influence over which Iranian immigrants in the U.S. were sent back to their home country.

The deportation of Iranians to a country whose government has a pattern of violent persecution against women, religious minorities and political dissidents has drawn significant criticism from human rights activists.

Emails reveal that Iranian officials had significant influence over which Iranian immigrants in the U.S. were sent back to their home country in 2025, despite tensions between the countries

Emails reveal that Iranian officials had significant influence over which Iranian immigrants in the U.S. were sent back to their home country in 2025, despite tensions between the countries

A quiet channel between ICE and Iran shaped deportation flights, newly released emails show  AP News