File Photo: US Northern Command, US Transportation Command supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flights by via military airlift, at Fort Bliss, Texas. AFP
The deportations come as tensions remain high between Iran and the U.S. after America bombed Iranian nuclear sites during Tehran's 12-day war with Israel in June.
A report published Monday by the Mizan news agency, the official mouthpiece of Iran's judiciary, quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry official Mojtaba Shasti Karimi acknowledging the deportation of 55 Iranians.
“These individuals announced their willingness to return following the continuation of anti-immigration and discriminatory policy against foreign nationals, particularly Iranians, by the United States,” Karimi reportedly said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei also said Sunday there were plans for 55 Iranians to return to the Islamic Republic.
Based on the U.S. claims, “the Iranians were repatriated because of legal reasons and breach of immigration regulations," Baghaei said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined to answer questions from The Associated Press about the flight, saying it “does not confirm or deny specific flights for operational security.”
“ICE removal flights are occurring every day,” the agency added.
The deportations represent a collision of a top priority of President Donald Trump — targeting illegal immigration — against a decades-long practice by the U.S. of welcoming Iranian dissidents, exiles and others since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
In September, Iranian officials acknowledged as many as 400 Iranians could be returned under the Trump administration policy. That month, the first such flight arrived in Tehran.
In the lead-up to and after the 1979 revolution, a large number of Iranians fled to the U.S. In the decades since, the U.S. has been sensitive in allowing those fleeing from Iran over religious, sexual or political persecution to seek residency.
Iran has maintained that only those facing criminal charges are subject to prosecution, while others are allowed to travel freely. However, Tehran has detained Westerners and others with ties abroad in the past to be exchanged in prisoner swaps.
Iran has criticised Washington for hosting dissidents and others in the past.
U.S. federal prosecutors have accused Iran of hiring hitmen to target dissidents in America as well.
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