News Summary
Mandonna Kashanian, a 64-year-old Iranian woman, was detained by ICE agents in New Orleans while gardening. Living in the U.S. since 1978, her arrest raises questions about immigration enforcement policies amid rising tensions with Iran. Family members, including her husband, are working to secure legal representation as they express fears for her safety and future. Kashanian’s compliance with immigration rules and her contributions to the local community highlight the troubling trend of targeting long-term residents without criminal records.
New Orleans – Mandonna “Donna” Kashanian, a 64-year-old Iranian woman, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on June 24, 2025. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. while she was gardening outside her home in the Navarre neighborhood of New Orleans, picking figs with neighborhood children. Witnesses reported that three unmarked vehicles arrived, and agents handcuffed Kashanian before placing her in the back of a pickup truck without providing any explanation.
Kashanian was initially taken to a local jail in Hancock County, Mississippi, for one night before being transferred to the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile. She has been living in the United States since 1978, having entered the country on a student visa at the age of 17. Although her initial application for asylum was denied, she had been residing in the U.S. under an administrative order that allowed her to stay as long as she complied with immigration check-ins.
Family members state that Kashanian has adhered to all immigration appointments and possesses no criminal record. Her husband, Russell Milne, expressed disbelief over her detention, as they had believed following immigration rules would provide her with a secure status in the country. The timing of her arrest came shortly after U.S. military actions targeted Iran, leading to speculation that the rising tensions in the region may have contributed to her detention.
This incident illustrates the increasingly scrutinized actions of ICE under President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, which have ramped up focus on individuals who were previously allowed to remain in the country. Family members, including Milne and their daughter Kaitlynn, who are both U.S. citizens, are actively attempting to secure legal representation for Kashanian.
Kashanian has deep roots in the New Orleans community, contributing through volunteer work, caregiving, and sharing her cooking skills electronically. Her detention underscores the growing trend of arrests involving immigrants who have complied with immigration policies, particularly those with stays of removal. Witness Sarah Gerig noted how swiftly the arrest took place, mentioning that Kashanian was allowed only a brief moment to inform her husband about the situation.
Family efforts to communicate with Kashanian have faced obstacles, leading to uncertainties regarding her circumstances while in detention. Furthermore, limited legal resources in Louisiana are complicating their search for support. Local officials have criticized the detention, with New Orleans City Council representative Joe Giarrusso asserting that individuals complying with immigration orders should not be treated as criminals.
The strained relations between the U.S. and Iran are anticipated to influence any potential legal arguments against her deportation. Additionally, Kashanian, who has built a life in New Orleans, has previously expressed anxiety about her immigration status, facing hurdles in applying for a green card linked to a past marriage issue.
The Trump administration’s immigration initiatives have drawn scrutiny for their broad approach, often targeting long-term residents not engaged in criminal activities. Milne has articulated concerns regarding the implications of intensified immigration enforcement, particularly amid escalating geopolitical tensions, expressing fears for Kashanian’s safety and future in the U.S.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 8 Live: New Orleans Family Says ICE Detained Iranian-Born Woman
- NOLA: Iranian New Orleans Woman Arrested
- ABC News: ICE Detains Marine Corps Veteran’s Wife
- Wikipedia: Immigration Enforcement in the United States
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
