A lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., accuses the Trump-era immigration agencies of secretly sharing confidential information about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government, potentially putting those individuals at risk.

The case stresses data privacy and the safeguarding of asylum seekers’ identities, with possible implications for international refugee law and trust in the U.S. asylum system.

The complaint alleges detainees were required to meet with an Iranian official who had knowledge of their asylum applications, with disclosures continuing even after rising tensions and the Iran-Israel conflict in early 2026.

It cites old and new safeguards, noting that federal rules from the late 1990s bar sharing asylum-related information, but claims these protections were violated through monthly U.S.-Iran meetings coordinated via the Pakistani embassy starting in 2025, during which detailed data on detainees up for deportation was shared.

Approximately 600 Iranians were detained last year, and at least one Iranian woman was among those deported to the Central African Republic in June, indicating a policy shift away from welcoming dissidents.

Residents across Cumberland, Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Burlington, and Cape May counties are watching the case due to its potential human rights and national security implications.

The report notes the U.S. has long been wary of Iran and has no formal diplomatic relations, though it historically offered asylum protections to Iranians facing repression.

Contextual background describes deteriorating rights in Iran and ongoing U.S. disagreements over asylum procedures after the 2025 administration shift, with statements suggesting sympathy for protesters but continued deportations.

Public Citizen plans to collect sworn declarations from Iranians in detention as part of preparing a motion for a preliminary injunction.

Public records show about 600 Iranians were in immigration detention last year, with at least one Iranian detainee among migrants deported to the Central African Republic in June, signaling a shift toward more deportations.

Since 2025, U.S. deportations of Iranians have increased, with advocacy groups citing over 100 deportations and discussions of an agreement to accept around 400 Iranian deportees; one Iranian national was deported to the Central African Republic in June.