NIAC cites obtained emails alleging US immigration authorities intensified arrests before American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities
WASHINGTON: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement accelerated efforts to arrest and deport Iranian nationals around the 2025 Iran conflict, according to emails obtained and detailed by the National Iranian American Council.
NIAC said the documents showed ICE intensified enforcement operations in June 2025 and arrested 192 Iranian nationals. The organisation claimed the White House directly ordered the broader deportation surge.
According to NIAC, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons ordered increased arrests shortly before the United States struck Iranian nuclear facilities and entered the conflict.
Furthermore, the organisation said the operation continued despite ICE officials acknowledging that Iranian airspace had closed and the country faced significant disruption.
Deportation Flight Raises Questions Over Passenger Records
The enforcement campaign eventually resulted in a September 30 deportation flight that landed in Qatar, where Iranian deportees were expected to transfer to another aircraft for their journey to Iran.
However, NIAC alleged that officials discovered during the stopover that one Iranian national aboard the aircraft did not appear on its flight manifest.
The individual was nevertheless repatriated to Iran, according to the organisation.
NIAC Policy Director Ryan Costello called the reported discrepancy an extraordinary breakdown and demanded clarification from senior US officials about the operation.
NIAC Questions Tel Aviv Office’s Role
Meanwhile, NIAC said an ICE attaché working from the US Embassy branch in Tel Aviv played a significant role in coordinating deportations.
The organisation suggested this raised questions about possible Israeli involvement. However, the report provided no evidence showing that the Israeli government influenced ICE’s decisions.
NIAC President Jamal Abdi criticised Washington for accelerating deportations while military operations placed Iran under additional pressure.
He called for disclosure of White House instructions, clarification of the Tel Aviv office’s involvement and an explanation regarding the reportedly unlisted deportee.
NIAC has repeatedly opposed sanctions and foreign military intervention in Iran while also condemning Tehran’s government and supporting Iranians’ right to determine their political future.
