In a notable escalation of its immigration enforcement efforts, the United States is preparing to deport 120 Iranian nationals as part of a newly struck deal with the Iranian government, according to Iranian officials. This deportation is being characterized as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration.

Iran’s foreign ministry representative, Hossein Noushabadi, announced that these individuals will be returned to Iran within the next couple of days. He indicated that most of these deportees had entered the U.S. illegally through Mexico.

In recent years, there has been an uptick in the number of Iranians seeking refuge in the United States, many of whom leave their homeland fearing political persecution.

Abigail Jackson, a spokesperson for the White House, reaffirmed the Trump administration’s commitment to carry out its promise of the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, asserting their commitment to deport illegal immigrants.

Noushabadi added that some of the deported individuals held valid U.S. residency permits and claimed that U.S. authorities sought their consent for repatriation. He emphasized the need for the U.S. government to respect the rights of Iranian migrants as stipulated by international law.

Reports from the New York Times suggest that the deportation flight is expected to arrive in Iran shortly. The cooperation between Iran and the U.S., particularly in facilitating the return of these nationals, is highlighted as an atypical instance given the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Following this agreement, which is regarded as a first phase, there are indications that up to 400 Iranian nationals may ultimately be deported. The U.S. has previously established similar deportation arrangements with multiple countries as part of its broader immigration strategy.

Critics of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies raise concerns about the potential for deportees to face persecution upon their return, especially given the Iranian regime's controversial human rights record and the recent increase in execution rates. Human rights advocacy groups express alarm over the fate that awaits individuals deported to Iran, where the government’s use of the death penalty has been flagged by UN experts.

The dilemma of balancing border security and human rights continues to pose significant challenges as the Trump administration pushes forward with its strict immigration agenda.