NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have intensified their deportation efforts, resulting in the arrest of long-time Iranian residents, including Mandonna “Donna” Kashanian, who has lived in the United States for 47 years.
Immediate Impact
Kashanian, who was handcuffed while gardening at her New Orleans home, arrived in the U.S. in 1978 on a student visa. Despite losing her asylum bid, she was allowed to stay if she regularly checked in with immigration officials. Now, she is detained in an immigration center in Basile, Louisiana, as her family seeks more information.
Key Details Emerge
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not disclosed the number of Iranians arrested, but recent military actions against Iran have heightened fears of increased deportations. Ryan Costello, policy director of the National Iranian American Council, criticized the arrests, suggesting they are indiscriminate and not necessarily linked to any threats.
“Some level of vigilance, of course, makes sense, but what it seems like ICE has done is basically give out an order to round up as many Iranians as you can,” Costello said.
Homeland Security’s Stance
Homeland Security has been vocal about arresting Iranians, announcing at least 11 arrests over a weekend following U.S. missile strikes. Tricia McLaughlin, a department spokeswoman, emphasized their focus on identifying and arresting suspected terrorists, though she provided no evidence of such ties.
By the Numbers
The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Iranians 1,700 times at the Mexican border from October 2021 through November 2024.
About 600 Iranians overstayed their visas as business visitors, tourists, and students in the year ending September 2023.
Personal Stories and Background
Kashanian’s husband, Russell Milne, insists his wife poses no threat, noting her contributions to the community. Similarly, in Oregon, another Iranian, identified as S.F., was detained despite his long U.S. residency and family ties.
Both cases illustrate the personal impact of the deportation drive, with families fearing for their loved ones’ safety if returned to Iran.
Expert Analysis
According to Michael Purcell, S.F.’s attorney, deporting his client could lead to persecution due to recent U.S. actions against Iran. S.F.’s conversion to Christianity and his family’s U.S. citizenship further complicate his situation.
“These circumstances relate to the recent bombing by the United States of Iranian nuclear facilities, thus creating a de facto state of war between the United States and Iran,” Purcell wrote.
Regional Implications
The Trump administration’s approach to deportation has involved sending individuals to third countries, circumventing diplomatic issues with their home nations. This strategy raises concerns about the fate of those deported under such conditions.
Meanwhile, the recent U.S. travel ban affecting Iran and other countries adds another layer of complexity to immigration enforcement.
What Comes Next
As the situation evolves, families like Kashanian’s and S.F.’s remain in limbo, seeking legal avenues to prevent deportation. The broader implications of these deportations continue to unfold, with advocacy groups closely monitoring the administration’s actions.
The ongoing nature of these arrests and deportations underscores the uncertainty faced by many long-term residents caught in the crosshairs of shifting immigration policies.
