US Expected to Deport Dozens of Iranians Amid Trump Threats Over Regime Crackdown

WASHINGTON D.C  (VINnews)- The Trump administration is poised to deport dozens of Iranians to their home country as early as Sunday, marking the first such flight since widespread anti-government protests erupted in Iran and President Donald Trump warned the regime against continuing its violent suppression of demonstrators.

The planned deportation would be the third to Iran under Trump, following previous flights in recent months. Sources familiar with the matter told CNN the flight is scheduled to depart soon, though Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Concerns are mounting over the safety of those slated for removal, particularly two gay Iranian men who face what their attorney describes as an “extremely high chance” of execution upon return. Homosexuality is punishable by death in Iran.

“If they were to be sent back right now, they’re facing death sentences by hanging,” said Bekah Wolf, an attorney with the American Immigration Council. Wolf told CNN the pair fled Iran in 2021 after being arrested by morality police and prosecuted for conduct punishable by death.

One of the men spoke to CNN from detention Friday, saying he and his partner would be executed if deported. He crossed the U.S. border in the final days of the Biden administration after a months-long journey involving robbery and beatings, seeking asylum. He reported suffering abuse and discrimination in ICE custody.

The man was initially set for removal on the second deportation flight to Iran in December but was removed from the list pending an asylum appeal, which the Trump administration denied. His case remains pending.

The deportations come as Trump has threatened harsh retaliation against Iran if it persists in its brutal crackdown on recent uprisings, which have drawn international condemnation amid reports of mass killings and internet blackouts.