Court records reveal U.S.-Iran deportation talks during the war

Court documents obtained by AP show that the Trump administration held secret talks with Iran about deporting Iranians while the war continued. As recently as mid-October, the administration described plans to route deportees through an unnamed third country. [11] A judge ordered the government to give the court 24 hours’ notice of finalized plans to deport Iranians to Iran or another country. [11] Why it matters: For Iranians facing deportation, the talks could determine whether they are sent to a country at war with the United States or routed through another state. The court’s 24-hour notice requirement creates a concrete oversight step before finalized removal plans proceed. [11] Key insights: The contacts show that U.S. and Iranian officials maintained a channel for deportation discussions even while their countries were at war. [11] | The administration’s mid-October position involved an intermediary country rather than only direct removal to Iran. [11] | The documents establish discussions and plans, not a completed deportation operation. [11] Cheatsheet facts: What happened: Documents unsealed on November 5 disclosed secret U.S.-Iran talks about deporting Iranians during the war. [11] | The catch: The administration described a route through a third country in mid-October while the U.S.-Iran war continued. [11] | What's next: A finalized plan to deport Iranians to Iran or another country would trigger the judge’s requirement for 24 hours’ notice to the court. [11] | What we don't know: Which third country would receive the deportees, and when would any removals take place? [11]