Iranian Immigrants Affected by New Trump Policy

The Trump administration is cracking down hard on Iranian immigrants in the United States. After decades of relative stability, many Iranians are now experiencing sudden arrests and threats of deportation, creating deep fear and uncertainty within the Iranian community.

Previously, diplomatic barriers made it difficult to send Iranian citizens back home, but the Trump administration has found new methods.

Instead, Iranians are being deported to third countries, such as El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama. Several hundred have already been sent out of the country under these circumstances.

Ryan Costello from the National Iranian American Council expresses concern over this practice according to AP-News: “Increased attention makes sense, but it seems ICE has been ordered to gather up as many Iranians as possible, regardless of whether they pose a threat or not, and then deport them.”

Life in the US Was No Guarantee

One of those now feeling the impact of Trump’s tough policy is Mandonna “Donna” Kashanian. After nearly five decades in the US, she was arrested by immigration authorities while working in the garden at her home in New Orleans.

Mandonna came to the US in 1978 as a student and sought asylum because her father had supported the US-backed Shah in Iran.

She was denied, but was allowed to stay as long as she regularly checked in with immigration authorities.

She complied throughout all those years, but is now detained in a cell in Basile, Louisiana, while the family awaits answers.

Her husband, Russell Milne, describes her as anything but dangerous. “She did everything she was asked to. She’s of retirement age. She’s no threat. Who arrests a grandmother?” he asks.

For Kashanian and her family, the US has suddenly become a hostile environment, where decades of stability disappeared with the click of handcuffs.

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