Iran confirms expulsion of 120 Iranian citizens from US

Hossain Nusabad, director general of Parliamentary and Consulial Affairs at Iran's Foreign Ministry, told the Tasnim news agency that this group is part of a broader plan by American immigration authorities to expel about 400 Iranians, most of whom have gone illegal to the United States, mainly through Mexico.

He said some of the people who were being expelled had valid permission to stay in the US, but still were included on the expulsion list, as their consent for repatriation had been taken.

The confirmation comes after the American newspaper New York Times, quoting anonymous officials in Tehran, reported that a plane of about 100 Iranians left Louisiana on the night of September 29th and was expected to arrive in Iran through Qatar the next day, REL reports, broadcast Periscope.

Although the circumstances of their initial departure from Iran and their arrival in the US differ, Nusabad said they have left the country legally and that Iran of “welcomes” they, promising full consular support for their return.

Human rights activists have criticised US policy of driving migrants into countries with problematic human rights balances.

The state of human rights in Iran remains serious, as widespread persecution of political opponents, activists, religious minorities and individuals LGBTQ continues.

Critics say the US administration's expulsion campaign endangers vulnerable immigrants by turning them into these difficult conditions.

In recent years, many Iranians have joined large groups of immigrants at the southern US border, passing illegally and then seeking asylum.

Many have cited persecution by the Islamic republic because of political or religious beliefs as the main reason for their flight.

However, most asylum applications were refused or remained unadvised until the hour of deportation. /Periscope/