The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund (IALDF) filed a lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration has been sharing confidential information of Iranian asylum seekers with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to the complaint, the IALDF alleges that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of State began providing Iran with information about the applications in Mar. 2025.
The lawsuit also lists Secretary of State Marco Rubio, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and ICE acting Director David Ventruella as defendants.
Many of the Iranian asylum seekers are members of religious minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, or pro-democracy protesters who seek refuge in the U.S. "because of the grave dangers they face in Iran."
U.S. government officials have "periodically mailed or hand delivered immigration files of Iranians" in immigration detention to Tehran, the IALDF claims.
“Disclosing their confidential information to the Iranian Government violates the asylum seekers’ confidential rights, endangers their family members and acquaintances who may still be residing in Iran, and puts those who are subject to removal to Iran … at risk of persecution, torture and death following their arrival in Iran,” the complaint argues.
IALDF also alleges that the Trump administration has continued to disclose private information to the Islamic Republic even after the launch of “Operation Epic Fury” in February 2026.
DHS Responds
"ICE is committed to ensuring that illegal aliens are informed of their right to communicate with their consular representatives," an anonymous DHS spokesperson responded in a statement. "Consistent with established protocols, ICE provides illegal aliens the opportunity to contact their consular post and facilitates consular access to detained individuals, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policy."
So far, the Trump administration has reportedly sent three deportation flights and more than 100 individuals to Tehran.
