STATEMENT: Reps. Dave Min and Yassamin Ansari Condemn New Plans for Deportations to Iran

Washington, D.C. - Representatives Dave Min (CA-47) and Yassamin Ansari (AZ-3) released the following statement on the new plans for the deportation of at least 40 Iranian nationalsback to Iran:

"We are deeply disturbed by reports that the Trump administration plans to carry out a third deportation flight of Iranian nationals to the Islamic Republic of Iran, including LGBTQ Iranians who face a death sentence by the regime. We previously sent a letter to Secretaries Rubio and Noem in October seeking answers about these deportations, given Iran's brutal authoritarian regime and its well-documented record of human rights abuses. To date, we have received no substantive response from DHS or DoS.

Amid the recent nationwide protests in Iran, where thousands have been killed or brutally detained while calling for basic freedoms, this silence is unacceptable. Despite President Trump's claim that "HELP IS ON ITS WAY," Trump has refused to support Iran's brave protesters through foreign aid or expanded internet access, which are desperately needed. Sending more people into harm's way now defies both common sense and the president's own statements that he stands with the Iranian people. The United States cannot be complicit in putting innocent lives at risk."