A 64-year-old Iranian woman who lived legally in the U.S. for nearly five decades and never missed a single immigration check-in is now facing deportation just days after the Trump administration bombed targets in her home country.
Mandonna "Donna" Kashanian arrived in the United States from Iran in 1978 on a student visa, according to Nola. After applying for asylum, she was allowed to remain under a discretionary stay of removal, contingent on abiding by the law and appearing for regular ICE check-ins.
For over 40 years, she built a life in New Orleans, married a U.S. citizen, raised a daughter, and contributed to her community through volunteer work and caregiving. Though her asylum was denied, federal officials never moved to deport her, until now.
On Sunday, Kashanian was handcuffed in front of her home by plainclothes ICE agents in unmarked vehicles. She was first taken to a Mississippi jail and then transferred to a detention facility in Basile, Louisiana. Her detention came just hours after the U.S. launched military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Officials have not provided a specific reason for Kashanian's arrest, but a DHS spokesperson cited a weekend roundup of 11 Iranians accused of terrorism and other crimes. Kashanian, however, has no criminal record and has lived openly with ICE's knowledge for decades.
Her family, including her husband and daughter, both U.S. citizens, say they are terrified she could now be sent back to Iran, a country she hasn't seen since she was 17. Meanwhile, Kashanian remains in ICE custody while her family scrambles to secure legal representation in a state with too few immigration attorneys.
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