Protect Human Rights in U.S. Deportation Practices

Call for Urgent Investigation into Iran Deportation Flight I am writing to express deep concern regarding a U.S. government-chartered deportation flight that returned roughly 100 Iranians to Tehran, as reported in the New York Times on September 30, 2025 (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/world/middleeast/us-iran-deportation-flight.html). Details are sparse, but the unusual nature of this cooperation between Washington and Tehran, combined with reports that some deportees lacked access to immigration judges or asylum hearings, raises the possibility that U.S. law and international treaty obligations were not followed. This requires immediate congressional oversight. Investigate Potential Violations of U.S. Immigration Law U.S. law requires that individuals facing deportation be given due process - including the right to appear before an immigration judge, present claims for asylum or protection under the Convention Against Torture, and appeal removal decisions. Reports that some deportees were removed without hearings suggest that the Department of Homeland Security may have failed to uphold these basic statutory and constitutional protections. Congress must investigate whether any removals occurred in violation of these obligations. Examine Compliance with International Law The principle of non-refoulement, enshrined in the Refugee Convention and the Convention Against Torture, prohibits returning people to countries where they are at risk of persecution or torture. Iran’s human rights record raises serious concerns about the safety of those deported. Diplomatic assurances from Tehran are insufficient unless they are independently verifiable and enforceable. The possibility that the U.S. may have violated these commitments warrants immediate review. Ensure Transparency and Accountability Given the rarity of direct deportation arrangements with Iran, the secrecy surrounding this flight, and the risk that individuals may now be in grave danger, I urge Congress to request full disclosure of the negotiations, legal justifications, and internal DHS procedures related to this deportation. Oversight hearings should be convened to ensure that such actions do not recur without proper safeguards.