Two gay Iranian men currently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have faced repeated threats of deportation back to Iran, a country where they risk execution due to their sexuality, amid an ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The Trump administration has not clarified whether deportations for these individuals could proceed during the conflict.
Identified only by assumed names for safety, Ali and Adel entered the United States in early 2025 after fleeing Iran, where they were charged with crimes punishable by execution. Their journey to the U.S. included extended stays in Turkey and travel through multiple countries in South and Central America. Advocates described the risks and barriers the men faced seeking asylum elsewhere, citing hostility toward LGBTQ individuals and restrictive immigration policies in those regions.
Since their detention on the southern U.S. border, the men reportedly have endured inadequate conditions and mistreatment by detention center staff. One, Adel, suffers from untreated injuries sustained prior to crossing into the U.S. Both were denied legal representation during initial asylum proceedings, resulting in rejected applications that they are now appealing.
According to Rebekah Wolf, director of the Immigration Justice campaign at the American Immigration Council, Ali and Adel have come close to deportation to Iran three separate times prior to the outbreak of war, facing intense psychological stress as they were prepared for removal but ultimately not sent back.
Deportation to Iran requires cooperation from that government, and while advocates believe a pause on such deportations has occurred since the war began, no official confirmation has been provided. The White House declined to comment on individual cases, referring inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which confirmed the men remain detained pending removal following final orders of deportation issued approximately one year ago.
Wolf warned the men’s situation could deteriorate if deported during the current armed conflict, noting that in wartime Iran, any perceived association with adversaries can lead to severe punishment or execution. This concern is heightened by the U.S. foreign policy stance opposing the Iranian regime.
Why it matters
The case highlights critical challenges in the U.S. asylum and deportation system, especially for vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution due to sexual orientation. It also raises questions about how current geopolitical tensions and conflicts impact deportation procedures and the safety of asylum seekers. The absence of clear government policy on deportations during wartime leaves detainees uncertain about their fate amid heightened risks.
Background
Iran criminalizes homosexuality with penalties that can include execution. LGBTQ asylum seekers from Iran often face persecution if returned. The Trump administration, in its second term starting in 2025, ramped up immigration enforcement but did not publicly clarify protocols for deporting individuals to countries engaged in active conflict with the U.S. Deportations require formal agreements with receiving governments, complicating removals during wartime.
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