Lawsuit Alleges US Agencies Shared Iranian Asylum Seekers' Data with Iran

Why it matters locally: While most immigration policies are handled at the federal level, Michigan is home to a significant Iranian-American population, many of whom have family members who may have sought asylum. This lawsuit could raise concerns among these communities regarding the privacy and safety of asylum seekers.

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Washington D.C. — A new lawsuit states U.S. immigration agencies illegally shared confidential information regarding Iranian asylum seekers with the government of Iran. The complaint describes a coordinated effort between the U.S. and Iranian governments. The lawsuit asserts officials identified Iranians held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. It further claims these officials then pressured those individuals to return to Iran. The document outlining the lawsuit details these actions. Attorneys filed the complaint in federal court, bringing these specific allegations forward. The lawsuit seeks to address these alleged practices.