Fact Check: "Kashanian's family fears deportation amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions."
What We Know
Madonna "Donna" Kashanian, a 64-year-old Iranian woman who has lived in the United States for 47 years, was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while gardening outside her home in New Orleans. This incident occurred shortly after U.S. airstrikes in Iran, raising concerns about the implications of escalating tensions between the two nations. Kashanian had previously applied for asylum due to fears of persecution linked to her father's ties to the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran, but her request was denied. Despite being granted a stay of removal, her family asserts that she complied with all immigration requirements, and she has no criminal record (The Guardian, AP News).
Kashanian's family has expressed that she has long feared deportation, particularly following the election of Donald Trump, which marked a shift in U.S. immigration policies that increased the scrutiny and enforcement actions against undocumented immigrants (The Guardian). Reports indicate that ICE has intensified its operations, with a significant increase in arrests of individuals without criminal histories since early 2023 (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Kashanian's family fears deportation is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The timing of her arrest, which coincided with heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, adds to the context of fear and uncertainty surrounding her immigration status. The family's long-standing apprehension about deportation, especially in light of the political climate, is corroborated by statements from her family and community members (The Guardian, AP News).
The reliability of the sources is strong; both the AP News and The Guardian are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. They provide detailed accounts of Kashanian's background, her immigration history, and the broader implications of her detention in the context of U.S.-Iran relations. The reports also highlight the challenges faced by Kashanian's family in securing legal assistance amid a surge in ICE detentions, which further underscores the anxiety surrounding her situation (The Guardian, AP News).
Conclusion
The claim that Kashanian's family fears deportation amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions is True. The evidence presented from reliable news sources confirms that Kashanian's detention has heightened her family's fears, particularly given the political climate and recent actions by ICE. The historical context of her immigration status and the family's ongoing concerns about deportation further validate this claim.
