Donna Kashanian, a long-time resident of the United States, is currently facing deportation after nearly five decades in the country. Despite marrying an American citizen and raising a family in New Orleans, federal immigration officers recently detained Kashanian, causing an upheaval for her family. Arriving in the U.S. in 1978 on a student visa, she initially sought asylum to escape potential repercussions linked to her father’s political affiliations, but her request was denied. However, Kashanian was allowed to stay as long as she complied with regular check-ins with immigration authorities, which she faithfully did, even making efforts to report from locations like South Carolina during emergencies like Hurricane Katrina. She is now held in a Louisiana detention center, while her family struggles to understand the abrupt chain of events.
The escalating arrests of Iranian nationals by immigration officials mark a troubling trend amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran. While the Department of Homeland Security remains mum on specifics, reports indicate a surge in apprehensions following recent U.S. military actions against Iran. A particular point of concern, raised by Ryan Costello from the National Iranian American Council, is the perceived indiscriminate nature of these arrests, which seem to indiscriminately target Iranians irrespective of any verifiable threat.
Federal officials have confirmed multiple arrests, including that of 11 Iranians for immigration infringements following a missile attack initiative by the United States. Additional arrests reported in Los Angeles are shadowed by claims of connections to alleged terrorist activities, though these assertions remain unsubstantiated with evidence. Authorities have been outspoken about clamping down on individuals suspected of extremist ties, though some criticize the arrest measures as casting too wide a net, often snaring individuals with no explicit terrorist links.
Kashanian’s husband, Russell Milne, argues vehemently for her innocence, labeling her as a non-threat who adhered to all conditions imposed upon her. The couple married decades ago in Louisiana, where they led an active community life. Alongside family endeavors, Kashanian contributed many hours to community service and cultural enrichment projects and became a beloved community figure, especially to neighborhood children.
Despite the United States’ long-standing diplomatic rift with Iran, recent movements point towards a shift in deportation policy, potentially affecting many like Kashanian. Critics argue that this new wave of actions creates fear among long-term residents who previously lived with less apprehension of deportation owing to a lack of diplomatic relations. U.S. policies have also seen deportations to third-party nations, bypassing governmental roadblocks.
Recent data reveals frequent detentions of Iranians at the U.S.-Mexico border, with many overstaying visas or trying to escape dire circumstances back home. Amidst these statistics, a travel ban on Iran adds another layer of complexity for affected individuals.
In a similar situation, an Iranian man in Oregon was apprehended while on a routine drive, ahead of a scheduled immigration check-in. This man, S.F., has resided in the U.S. for over two decades, and his family are American citizens. Legal filings indicate his asylum efforts have failed in the past, although he fears returning to Iran could result in harsh consequences due to recent geopolitical developments.
These personal stories coalesce to spotlight the precarious position of many Iranian residents in America, like Kashanian and S.F., who each face an uncertain future due to evolving U.S. deportation policies. Family members remain concerned about the ramifications, fearing a fate in their home country fraught with danger and injustice related to ongoing conflicts.