The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the State Department have been disclosing sensitive information about Iranians seeking asylum in the United States to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The complaint emphasizes that sharing classified information with the Iranian government breaches the confidentiality rights of asylum seekers, endangers their family members remaining in Iran, and significantly increases the risks of persecution, torture, and even death for those facing deportation back to Iran.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the lawsuit names Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and Acting ICE Commissioner David Venturella as primary defendants, alongside their respective agencies.
The complaint alleges that in March 2025, the Trump administration began providing Iran with sensitive information about Iranian asylum seekers, many of whom are pro-democracy activists, members of religious minorities, or individuals from the LGBTQ+ community.
According to the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund, information sharing persisted even after military actions against Iran were commenced by the U.S. and Israel earlier in the year. The Department of Homeland Security has denied these allegations, asserting that ICE’s interactions with foreign governments aim to assist detainees in obtaining necessary travel documents.
An agency spokesperson stated, “ICE is committed to ensuring that undocumented individuals are informed of their rights to contact consular representatives.” The spokesperson also noted that ICE adheres to established procedures that allow for consular access to detained individuals, complying with applicable laws and regulations.
The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund identifies as a nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering and defending those of Iranian descent in the U.S. The complaint alleges that the U.S., lacking an official consulate in Iran, mediated meetings with the Iranian Interest Bureau through the Pakistani embassy. A meeting purportedly took place in March 2025, involving senior officials from the Office of Iranian Interests and a representative from the U.S. State Department. It is claimed that the U.S. expressed intentions to deport Iranian nationals, including those in ICE detention.
Further details from the lawsuit indicate that officials from the Office of Iranian Interests requested a list of Iranian detainees slated for deportation, leading to the provision of around 150 names. The complaint claims that since March 2025, regular monthly meetings have occurred between ICE and Iranian authorities to share immigration information concerning Iranian nationals.
In light of the allegations, the plaintiffs are seeking judicial confirmation that the Trump administration’s policy of sharing immigration-related information with Iran is unlawful and are requesting that its implementation be halted. They also demand notification for individuals whose information was disclosed, enabling them to ascertain their eligibility for asylum or protective measures against deportation in accordance with the Convention Against Torture.
