Iranian Woman Detained by ICE While Gardening in New Orleans

News Summary

Donna Kashanian, a long-term resident of New Orleans and Iranian national, was arrested by ICE agents during her garden on June 22. Her detention followed U.S. airstrikes against Iran and has raised concerns among family, neighbors, and immigrant rights advocates. Despite her history of compliance with immigration requirements and community service, her asylum requests have been denied, leading to calls for her release and discussions on U.S. immigration policies.

New Orleans, LA – Donna Kashanian, a 64-year-old Iranian woman, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while gardening at her Lakeview home on June 22. Her arrest came just hours after the United States conducted airstrikes targeting Iran, a country she fled nearly five decades ago.

Kashanian, who arrived in the U.S. on a legal student visa in 1978 during a time when the Iranian government was more aligned with American interests, has remained in the country since then. Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, she faced persecution upon the potential return to her homeland, which prevented her from going back. Despite having applied for asylum multiple times, her requests were denied, leaving her to navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law while residing in the community she has called home for years.

Currently, she is being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center located in Basile, LA, approximately three hours away from her family’s home. Reports indicate that during her custody, she has maintained relatively good conditions among other women detainees, raising concerns about her continued detention given her lack of a criminal record.

The sudden nature of Kashanian’s detention shocked her family and neighbors, with many witnessing the agents in tactical gear arresting her in less than a minute, taking her away in an unmarked vehicle. Following the arrest, community members expressed outrage, feeling that her rights were being violated, especially because she has consistently complied with immigration check-ins and never missed an appointment.

Kashanian has a strong history of community engagement and service in New Orleans, having volunteered with initiatives like Habitat for Humanity and the NOLA Tree Project. Her contributions to the community have led to support from various political figures, including State Representative Stephanie Hilferty, who is advocating for her case and attempting to bring her plight to the attention of the President. This marks an unusual show of bipartisan support, with Hilferty becoming the first Republican to voice her backing for Kashanian, amidst a backdrop of support from local Democrats and immigrant rights activists.

Since Kashanian’s detention, her family members, including her husband Russ Milne and daughter Kaitlynn Milne, both U.S. citizens, have been actively seeking legal representation to fight for her release. They are determined to navigate the immigration system to rectify what they consider an inappropriate action taken by ICE, particularly as it appears to be part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy.

The situation has highlighted significant concerns regarding the evolving landscape of U.S. immigration policy, especially under the Trump administration. Reports indicate a dramatic 807% increase in arrests of individuals without criminal records since January 2021, raising alarm among immigrant rights advocates who fear that individuals like Kashanian, who previously had the right to remain in the U.S. during their proceedings, are being targeted unfairly.

Despite the public outcry, federal officials have not provided specific comments on Kashanian’s case but noted the arrest of 11 Iranians nationally as part of a larger enforcement action. The growing tension around immigration policies continues to fuel discussions around the rights and protections afforded to individuals seeking refuge in the United States.

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Detention of Iranian Woman in New Orleans Raises Concerns

Additional Resources

• The Guardian: ICE Detains Woman from Iran in New Orleans
• Google Search: ICE detains Iranian woman New Orleans
• WWLTV: Growing Outrage Over Iranian Woman Arrested by ICE
• Google Scholar: ICE detention policies
• NOLA.com: Iranian Woman Arrested in New Orleans
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration policies in the US
• Indian Express: ICE Arrests 64-Year-Old Iranian Woman in New Orleans
• Google News: Iran woman arrested by ICE