A new federal lawsuit is raising serious concerns for Iranian asylum seekers and other immigrants who fear persecution if returned to Iran.

According to recent reporting and a lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., the U.S. government is accused of sharing confidential immigration and asylum-related information about Iranian nationals with representatives of the Iranian government. The lawsuit claims that this information may have included sensitive details about asylum claims, religious conversion, political activity, LGBTQ identity, family information, and reasons why individuals feared returning to Iran. The Department of Homeland Security has denied the allegations and stated that ICE did not share asylum application records with the Iranian government.

The lawsuit was filed by the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund, represented in part by attorneys from Public Citizen Litigation Group. The lawsuit claims that U.S. government agencies shared sensitive immigration and asylum-related information about Iranian nationals with representatives of the Iranian government. The allegations are especially serious because asylum applications often contain private details about political opinions, religious conversion, protest activity, LGBTQ identity, family members, and the reasons a person fears returning to their home country.

According to the lawsuit, the organization learned about the alleged information-sharing through its work assisting detained Iranian asylum seekers, reports from detainees who said Iranian officials appeared to know details about their asylum cases, confidential source information, and public records or public reporting. While the U.S. government has denied sharing asylum application records, the lawsuit raises major concerns about the safety of Iranian immigrants and the importance of protecting confidential asylum information from disclosure to the very governments applicants may be fleeing.

This is a very serious issue because asylum cases often contain deeply personal and dangerous information. Many asylum seekers flee their home countries because they fear the government itself. If that same government learns that a person applied for asylum in the United States, or learns the details of that claim, it may place the applicant and their family members at risk.

Why Is Asylum Information Supposed to Be Confidential?

U.S. immigration regulations protect asylum-related information. Under 8 C.F.R. § 208.6, information contained in or relating to an application for asylum, withholding of removal, Convention Against Torture protection, credible fear, or reasonable fear generally cannot be disclosed without the applicant’s written consent, except in limited circumstances allowed by law.

These confidentiality protections exist for a reason. A person who applies for asylum may be accusing their home government of persecution, torture, threats, imprisonment, or discrimination. Revealing that information to the government they fled could create new danger or make an existing danger worse.

The lawsuit also points to regulations involving consular notification, stating that U.S. officials may coordinate deportation logistics with a foreign government, but should not reveal that a detained immigrant applied for asylum or withholding of removal.

What Does the Lawsuit Allege?

The lawsuit claims that beginning in March 2025, U.S. officials allegedly began coordinating with representatives of Iran through the Iranian Interests Section, which operates through the Embassy of Pakistan because the United States and Iran do not have formal diplomatic relations. The complaint alleges that immigration files and information about detained Iranian nationals were shared during meetings and through mailed or hand-delivered records.

The complaint further alleges that Iranian officials met with detained Iranian asylum seekers in ICE custody and appeared to already know details about their immigration cases and asylum claims. According to the lawsuit, this made detained asylum seekers fear that they had been identified to the very government they were fleeing.

Again, these are allegations in a pending lawsuit. DHS has denied sharing asylum application records with Iran.

Why This Matters for Iranian Asylum Seekers

For Iranian asylum seekers, confidentiality can be a matter of life or death. Many Iranian cases involve claims based on political opinion, participation in protests, conversion to Christianity, membership in religious minority groups, women’s rights activism, LGBTQ identity, or opposition to the Iranian regime.

If confidential information is disclosed to Iranian authorities, an asylum seeker may face interrogation, detention, torture, or other persecution if deported. Their relatives in Iran may also be placed at risk.

This is especially concerning because asylum applicants are expected to be honest and detailed when explaining their fear. They often disclose information that they would never safely reveal to officials from their home country.

What Should Iranian Immigrants Do Now?

If you are an Iranian national with a pending asylum case, removal order, ICE check-in, immigration court hearing, or detention issue, it is important to speak with an experienced immigration attorney immediately.

You should especially seek legal help if:

You are afraid your asylum information may have been shared with Iranian officials.
You were asked to meet with Iranian officials while in ICE custody.
You are under a final order of removal.
You have an upcoming ICE check-in.
You are worried about being deported to Iran or a third country.
You previously lost your asylum case but now believe there is new danger based on disclosure of your information.
Depending on the facts, an attorney may be able to evaluate options such as a motion to reopen, stay of removal, asylum, withholding of removal, Convention Against Torture protection, or other emergency legal action.

Do Not Ignore Immigration Notices or ICE Appointments

If you receive a notice from immigration court, ICE, USCIS, or DHS, do not ignore it. Missing an appointment can make your case much worse. At the same time, do not attend an ICE appointment or respond to government questions about a sensitive asylum matter without first consulting with an immigration lawyer.

Every case is different. The right strategy depends on your immigration history, current status, prior applications, court decisions, and whether you have a final order of removal.

If you or your loved one is from Iran and fears return because of political opinion, religion, conversion, LGBTQ identity, protest activity, family ties, or any other protected ground, Shepelsky Law Group can help evaluate your immigration options.

Call us today at Tel: (718) 769-6352 or visit www.ShepelskyLaw.com.