Fact Check: "Iranian woman detained while gardening after 47 years in the U.S."
What We Know
On June 25, 2025, Madonna "Donna" Kashanian, a 64-year-old Iranian woman, was detained by immigration agents while gardening outside her home in New Orleans. Kashanian has lived in the United States for 47 years, having arrived in 1978 on a student visa. She later applied for asylum due to fears of persecution linked to her father's ties to the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran, but her asylum request was denied. Despite this, she was granted a stay of removal, which her family asserts she complied with throughout her time in the U.S. Kashanian has no criminal record and has been active in her community, including sharing Persian recipes on YouTube and participating in her daughter's school activities (The Guardian, WWLTV).
Witnesses reported that plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles handcuffed her and transported her to a Mississippi jail before transferring her to the South Louisiana ICE processing center in Basile. This incident occurred shortly after U.S. airstrikes in Iran, and federal officials noted that her arrest was part of a broader operation that included the detention of 11 Iranians nationwide (The Guardian, US News).
Analysis
The claim that an Iranian woman was detained while gardening after 47 years in the U.S. is supported by multiple credible sources. The details surrounding Kashanian's life, her immigration status, and the circumstances of her arrest have been reported consistently across various outlets, including The Guardian, WWLTV, and Newsweek. These reports provide a coherent narrative that aligns with the claim.
The sources used in this analysis are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The Guardian and WWLTV, for instance, have a history of thorough reporting on immigration issues and have covered the broader context of ICE operations under the current administration. The consistency of the details across these sources enhances their reliability.
However, it is important to note that while the reports indicate Kashanian's compliance with immigration requirements, the specifics of her legal status and the reasons for her detention remain somewhat ambiguous. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not comment on her specific case, which raises questions about the criteria used for her detention (The Guardian, Yahoo News).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that an Iranian woman was detained while gardening after 47 years in the U.S. is accurate. Multiple credible sources confirm the details of Madonna "Donna" Kashanian's detention, her long-term residency in the U.S., and the circumstances surrounding her arrest. The consistency of the information across reputable news outlets supports the validity of the claim.
Sources
- Author Topic: (Group) KinKi Kids - JPHiP
- Iranian woman, who has lived in US for 47 years, taken by ICE - The Guardian
- Group: Babyraids JAPAN - JPHiP
- Family visits Lakeview woman detained by ICE in Louisiana - WWLTV
- After Decades in the US, Iranians Arrested in Trump's Deportation Drive - US News
- Family says ICE detained Iranian woman who's lived in US - Yahoo News
- Iranian Woman Who Has Lived in US for Four Decades Detained - Newsweek
- Iranian-born woman, 64, allowed 1 hour with family in ICE - YouTube
