A new federal lawsuit is raising serious concerns for Iranian asylum seekers and other immigrants who fear persecution if returned to Iran. The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund filed the lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C. The complaint claims that U.S. government agencies shared confidential immigration and asylum-related information about Iranian nationals with representatives of the Iranian government. The Department of Homeland Security has denied the allegations. ICE has stated it did not share asylum application records with the Iranian government. But the allegations are serious and every Iranian asylum seeker in the United States should understand what is at stake.
Is My Asylum Application Information Confidential?
Yes. U.S. immigration regulations protect asylum-related information. Under 8 C.F.R. § 208.6, information contained in or relating to an asylum application generally cannot be disclosed without the applicant’s written consent. This includes applications for withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protection.
These confidentiality protections exist for a critical reason. A person who applies for asylum may be accusing their home government of persecution, torture, threats, or imprisonment. Revealing that information to the very government they fled could create new danger or make an existing danger much worse.
What did the lawsuit allege was shared with Iran?
The lawsuit claims that beginning in March 2025, U.S. officials allegedly began coordinating with Iranian representatives through the Iranian Interests Section. This section operates through the Embassy of Pakistan because the United States and Iran do not have formal diplomatic relations.
The complaint states that individuals shared immigration files and information about detained Iranian nationals during meetings and through mailed or hand-delivered records.It further alleges that Iranian officials met with detained Iranian asylum seekers in ICE custody and already appeared to know details about their immigration cases and asylum claims. Detained asylum seekers feared that the authorities had identified them to the very government they were fleeing.
These are allegations in a pending lawsuit. DHS has denied sharing asylum application records with Iran.
What Happens If Iran Learns You Applied for Asylum in the U.S.?
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 reaches Iranian authorities, an asylum seeker may face interrogation, detention, torture, or other persecution if deported. Their relatives still living in Iran may face risks. This situation raises significant concerns because asylum applicants must provide honest and detailed explanations of their fears. They frequently…disclose information they would never safely share with officials from their home country.
Can I face deportation to Iran while my asylum case is pending?
If you have a pending asylum case, you usually receive protection from deportation while the decision process occurs. However, if you have a final order of removal, have missed court hearings, or have other unresolved immigration issues, your risk increases significantly.
Even with a denied asylum case, other forms of protection may still be available. These include withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protection. Both can prevent deportation to a country where you face serious harm. An experienced immigration attorney can evaluate whether these options apply to your situation.
What Should Iranian Asylum Seekers Do Right Now?
If you are an Iranian national with a pending asylum case, removal order, ICE check-in, immigration court hearing, or detention issue, speak with an experienced immigration attorney immediately. You should seek legal help if any of the following apply:
- You fear your asylum information went to Iranian officials
- You needed 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 worry about deportation to Iran or a third country
- You previously lost your asylum case but now believe there is new danger
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.
Should I Attend My ICE Check-In or Immigration Court Hearing?
Do not ignore immigration notices or ICE appointments. Missing an appointment can make your case much worse. However, 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. According to Reuters, the broader legal fight over immigration detention and deportation policy is heading to the Supreme Court, making legal guidance more important than ever.
Contact Shepelsky Law Group If You Are an Iranian Asylum Seeker
If you or your loved one is from Iran and fears return because of political opinion, religion, conversion, LGBTQ identity, protest activity, or any other protected ground, Shepelsky Law Group can help evaluate your immigration options. Our attorneys handle asylum cases, ICE detention defense, removal proceedings, motions to reopen, and humanitarian parole requests nationwide.
Call us today at (718) 769-6352 or visit ShepelskyLaw.com.