US accused of sharing asylum seeker data with Iran

On Tuesday, a lawsuit was initiated in Washington, accusing the Trump administration of illegally disclosing sensitive personal details of Iranian asylum seekers to the Iranian government. The complaint, filed by the Iranian American Legal Defence Fund along with the Public Citizen Litigation Group, asserts that the US shared extensive information about numerous Iranian detainees, including pro-democracy activists, religious minorities, and LGBTQ individuals seeking asylum to escape persecution. The suit reveals that in March 2025, officials from the State Department met with Iranian representatives in Washington, indicating a willingness to deport Iranians, including those detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This meeting took place despite a letter from twelve US senators in February to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concerns over deporting individuals to a nation where they risk persecution or torture. The lawsuit alleges that a State Department official admitted to the Iranian government’s persecution of religious minorities and systematic oppression through arbitrary detention, forced confessions, and killings. Asylum seekers reportedly risk being sent back to Iran, where their information could result in persecution, torture, or death.