The United States is set to deport 120 Iranians back to Iran over the next two days, according to Iran's state-affiliated media. Hossein Noushabadi, the head of consular affairs at Iran's foreign ministry, stated that most of the group entered the U.S. illegally through Mexico and will return to Iran via Qatar. The deportation is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to enforce immigration laws more strictly, including sending migrants back to countries with challenging human rights records.

The deportation flight, which departed from Louisiana, marks a significant step in the U.S.'s immigration policy under President Donald Trump. The administration has pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in history, using all available resources. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson emphasized the commitment to this promise, despite criticism from human rights groups concerned about the safety of deportees returning to countries like Iran.

Iranian officials have expressed concerns over the deportation process, urging the U.S. to respect the rights of Iranian immigrants. Some of those being deported reportedly hold valid U.S. residency permits. The deportation is part of a deal between the U.S. and Iran, marking a rare instance of cooperation between the two nations, which do not maintain formal diplomatic ties.

The deportees are among 400 Iranians slated for deportation, with this group being the first phase. The U.S. has previously struggled to deport migrants to countries like Iran due to diplomatic challenges and difficulties in obtaining travel documents. However, recent agreements have facilitated the process

Iran has assured that the deportees will face no issues upon their return, though the country's economic and political climate remains tense. The deportation comes amid economic hardships in Iran, exacerbated by the recent reinstatement of United Nations Security Council sanctions.

Bill Handel