A lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C. claims the Trump administration is disclosing details of Iranian asylum seekers to Iran. Lawyers from Public Citizen Litigation Group allege information sharing started in March 2025.
According to the lawsuit, U.S. officials mailed or hand-delivered documents of Iranians in immigration custody to Iranian representatives. This could place the asylum seekers at risk.
The law clearly states that asylum information must not be shared, especially with the government the individual is fleeing,” said Michael Kirkpatrick, a lawyer with Public Citizen.
Public Citizen Litigation Group is acting for the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund. There are concerns that Iranian asylum seekers could face arrest, interrogation, imprisonment, or torture if returned. Their families in Iran could also be in danger.
The filing describes meetings where deportation relief and asylum applications were discussed between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Iranian Interests Section. These meetings allegedly halted after a U.S. attack on Iran, but document sharing continued. An increase in deportations to Iran was noted just before the U.S.-Iran war started.
Based on detainee testimonies, it’s believed that information was shared, leading to asylum seekers unwittingly meeting Iranian officials. A confidential statement from an Iranian government figure supports these allegations. This evidence, however, remains unverified.
Public Citizen plans to request a preliminary injunction to halt the data sharing temporarily and notify affected individuals. Both the Homeland Security Department and the Iranian Mission to the United Nations did not comment on the matter.
Federal regulations guard asylum records, insisting on confidentiality by the Homeland Security Department and immigration courts. The lawsuit alleges confidentiality breaches involving sensitive details about Iranian detainees, including identifying information, political beliefs, and threats from the Iranian government.
The lawsuit emphasizes that detainees expected confidentiality, according to federal protections. They reportedly met with Iranian officials without consent or prior knowledge.
While it’s standard for governments to exchange certain information for returning asylum seekers—such as travel permits—sharing details from asylum applications is rare and prohibited.
Kirkpatrick mentioned risks from sharing sensitive information, like involvement in democratic movements or religious conversion, potentially endangering individuals sent back to Iran. Allegedly, the Trump administration has deported up to three flights, totaling over 100 people back to Iran. Others were sent to third countries like Panama and the Central African Republic.