A lawsuit has been filed in Washington, D.C., alleging that the Trump administration shared details of Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government. This action reportedly began in March 2025, and has involved the periodic mailing or hand delivery of immigration files from U.S. custody to Iran, as claimed in the suit.
Michael Kirkpatrick, an attorney from Public Citizen Litigation Group, emphasized the legal restrictions on sharing information from asylum applications, especially with the government from which an individual is fleeing. Public Citizen, representing the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund in the lawsuit, argues that such revelations could result in significant risks for the asylum seekers upon their return, including detention, interrogation, prison time, or torture. Additionally, families and acquaintances remaining in Iran could also face threats.
The lawsuit states that details from deportation relief and asylum applications were provided during regular meetings between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Iranian Interests Section. Although these meetings ended after a U.S. attack on Iran in February, the exchange of information allegedly continued. According to Kirkpatrick, detainees in U.S. custody were summoned to meetings with Iranian Interests Section officials, who were already aware of asylum claim details.
This lawsuit relies on confidential information from an Iranian government official confirming the alleged data-sharing policy, though this testimony has not been independently verified by NPR. Public Citizen plans to request a preliminary injunction to halt the information-sharing temporarily and notify those whose information has been shared. The Department of Homeland Security and the Iranian Mission to the United Nations have not provided comments regarding these activities.
Federal regulations dictate that asylum application records should be safeguarded by the Homeland Security Department and immigration courts, with confidentiality ensured when transmitted internationally. The lawsuit contends that identifying details, family ties, political opinions, and reasons for fearing the Iranian government have been disclosed.
While information sharing between governments regarding asylum applications typically focuses on facilitating return travel or document preparation, Kirkpatrick highlights that sharing other details risks revealing sensitive information such as involvement in pro-democracy protests, LGBTQ community membership, or religious conversion, which are considered sensitive and potentially perilous in Iran.
According to Kirkpatrick, the Trump administration has conducted three deportation flights, returning over 100 individuals to Iran, while others have been deported to third countries like Panama and the Central African Republic.