In mid-October, US immigration officers unexpectedly arrived to take Majid, a detained Iranian Christian, from his cell in Texas to a military airfield in Louisiana. Despite an immigration judge granting him protection from removal five months earlier, he was forcibly boarded onto a plane bound for Managua, Nicaragua, among over 150 deportees. Majid fled Iran after facing torture for his involvement in protests and his conversion to Christianity. After the flight, he was handcuffed and directed towards a journey back to Iran, leading him to hide in Istanbul, fearing for his life.
Several Iranian Christians have reported similar stories, speaking anonymously to the BBC due to concerns for family in Iran. They highlight inconsistencies in how US authorities assess risks for Iranian returnees and manage sensitive information in asylum requests. This situation contrasts with official statements from the White House, asserting that all deported individuals had undergone necessary asylum evaluations.
Notably, the US has shifted its policies toward Iranian asylum seekers, including coordinating a charter flight to Iran — a rare occurrence given the lack of diplomatic relations. Reports indicate that deportees were shackled and questioned upon arrival, raising concerns regarding their safety, with some follow-ups from Iranian intelligence after deportations.
Religious converts, comprising a significant segment of Iran’s Christian population, face severe persecution upon return, labeled as apostates. Reports indicate a drastic increase in such arrests, with Iranian authorities framing the issue as a national security threat. While some asylum seekers cite conversion as a basis for their claims, doubts have emerged about the validity of certain cases.
Asylum cases can yield vastly different results, even among family members. For instance, Marjan and Reza, Iranian asylum seekers detained in Los Angeles, experienced divergent outcomes; Marjan secured asylum while Reza faced deportation. In another case, Ali is left in uncertainty after his wife was deported, expressing concern over the implications for their family should he be returned as well.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdege0k962do?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss