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

Why it matters locally: New Mexico, with its diverse population and potential for asylum seekers to reside within its borders, may see residents, legal aid organizations, and immigrant rights groups following this lawsuit closely due to its implications for asylum processes and confidentiality.

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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.