US deportation flight of Iranian nationals canceled in Arizona

A scheduled deportation flight of Iranian nationals from Mesa, Arizona, was abruptly canceled on Sunday morning, according to legal representatives. At least eight individuals had already been loaded onto the aircraft, which was intended to travel to Georgia before proceeding to Pakistan and ultimately Iran.

The cancellation follows emergency legal motions filed by the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund. Attorneys argued that the operation violated court orders regarding prior notification and raised concerns about the safety of deportees being sent to a country currently experiencing active warfare. Federal Judge Ana C. Reyes has previously questioned the legality and safety of returning individuals to a zone of conflict.

The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on specific flight schedules or passenger manifests, stating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not discuss prospective removal operations. However, the agency reaffirmed that the administration is utilizing all lawful options to execute large-scale deportation operations.