Trump Administration Threatens to Deport Iranian Man to Australia Despite No Connection

By Brad Ryan in Washington DC | 7 hours ago

Reza Zavvar, a 52-year-old Iranian-American from Maryland, has found himself at the center of a controversial immigration dispute. The Trump administration has threatened to deport him to Australia — a country he has no ties to — despite having lived in the U.S. since 1985. His family and community have raised concerns over the decision, which they describe as both unjust and inhumane.

Zavvar, a long-time community contributor, has helped elderly neighbors, provided weekly meals to those in need, and even adopted a dog from a local shelter. His sister, Maryam, has launched an online petition to support his legal battle, stating, "After 40 years of living in the U.S., Reza knows no other home."

According to his lawyer, Ava Benach, Zavvar was arrested in late June while walking his dog in a quiet suburban neighborhood. He was then detained and sent to a Texas facility, where officials told him he would be deported to either Australia or Romania. "How they picked those countries is a mystery to me," Benach said.

The U.S. government has cited Zavvar's marijuana possession conviction from the 1990s as a reason for deportation. However, a court order has prevented his return to Iran due to the risk of persecution there. His family and legal team argue that the conviction is a minor offense and not a valid basis for deportation, especially given his long-standing presence in the U.S. and his good standing in the community.

Immigration lawyers have expressed surprise at the selection of Australia as a destination, noting that it is not typically a country used for such deportations. "Australia is not a country that we would normally consider to be in such a position," said Mahsa Khanbabai, an elected director on the American Immigration Lawyers Association board.

The Australian government has stated that it has not been contacted by U.S. authorities regarding the case. "There have been no new agreements made with the Trump administration on immigration," a spokesperson said. Despite repeated requests for clarification, neither Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) nor the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has explained why Australia was selected.

Benach believes the arrest may be a publicity stunt, timed with the U.S. air strikes on Iran in June. "I honestly think that they wanted to make a show of arresting Iranians in the wake of our bombing of the Iranian nuclear facility," she said.

The situation has sparked broader concerns about the targeting of Iranian immigrants, with many in the community fearing that the administration is scapegoating them. Khanbabai noted that many of those detained have clean records and are not criminals, yet they are being targeted in the wake of the recent strikes.

As Zavvar's case continues, his family and legal team hope for a resolution that reflects the injustice of his situation and the broader issues facing immigrants in the U.S. under the current administration.