Sponsored link
Friday, April 24, 2026

Sponsored link

SFO: UPDATE: Reunited with his family and allowed to stay. Iranian man being deported as family remains in limbo

Update: He was released after family was initially informed that he’d been detained. The family is reuniting after six years: “I’m so happy my bother is with us, I’m so relieved. I can’t tell you how happy I am”
An Iranian man who landed in San Francisco early yesterday morning is now scheduled to be deported, his brother said. 

The Iranian family isn’t Muslim and fears persecution. Their names have been withheld upon request.

After landing at SFO, he was taken to a detention center where he spent the night awaiting legal intervention: “We were hoping that we would get a hearing on Monday and get this resolved but we just heard that he’s being taken to San Francisco airport for reason unknown,”  the man’s brother said.

The family hasn’t met in six years and were hoping to be reunited in the US. They are now fearful of their identity being disclosed and family facing possible persecution in Iran. 

Despite hearing that he might be deported the family is still at San Francisco airport with their attorney hoping for a way out: “We are still here, we are still waiting. We were really hoping for this reunion.” 

The mother, who is a US citizen, broke down yesterday as she heard her son had been taken to a detention center. As of now the family remains in limbo and are worried for the safety and security of their son and brother who is being deported. 

Sana Saleem
Sana Saleem
Sana Saleem is a writer with a focus on social justice and human stories. She's member board of advisory for the Courage Foundation, Edward Snowden's legal defense fund.

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Sponsored link

Sponsored link

Latest

The brutal Lurie budget: Cuts for everyone except the cops and the very rich

Mayor's Office admits that its budget will harm vulnerable communities while pouring vast sums of money into law enforcement

What if Tom Steyer wasn’t a billionaire any more?

If he gave away most of his fortune to good causes in the next few weeks, he could say he's not just a rich guy running for governor.

Screen Grabs: SFFILM Fest hits 69. Nice.

11 days of global visions, including Boots Riley's latest, a Kid Koala cartoon, and 'The Empire Strikes Back.' Plus: 'I Swear,' 'The Blue Trail,' more

BIG WEEK: Dahlia Sale, Shipyard Open Studios, Foglifter, GUSH fest, ‘Broadway Baby’…

'Mere Mortals,' Black Gold Sun, SFFILM Fest, 'The Celluloid Closet,' Paranoid London, more to do this week!

You might also likeRELATED