Sponsored link
Tuesday, April 28, 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
Sponsored link

Latest

Michael Jackson and Prince deserve better

Sanitized blockbuster 'Michael' and estate-quashed Prince doc rob us of nuanced, imaginative, and true portraits of the pop giants.

Beyond Butoh: inkBoat’s ‘Clouds from a Crumbling Giant’ reaches past genres

At SF International Arts Fest, storied local dance company takes collaborative approach to crossing borders of life.

The world is large! 8 must-sees at SF International Arts Fest

Korean tango, Canadian food prep cirque, improv hip-hop, deconstructed drag, a 'Lesbitarian Church,' more from border-erasing event.

Jury acquits man who spent 18 months in jail while DA delayed giving evidence to his laywer

In yet another case, DA Jenkins loses after questions arise about evidence and ethics

You might also likeRELATED