Arizona, November 10, 2026 — An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flight carrying Iranian immigrants turned back during its journey and landed in Mesa, Arizona, officials confirmed.
The plane was originally scheduled to transport the group from a U.S. facility to Islamabad, Pakistan, where they were to be transferred to Tehran, Iran, as part of an immigration enforcement process.
Lawyers representing the Iranian immigrant group stated that the plan had been communicated through official channels prior to departure. They said the transfer route was coordinated with Pakistani authorities for onward movement to Iran.
According to reports by The New York Times, ICE did not provide public notice of the diversion or explain the reason behind it at the time of landing. No official statement has yet been issued by ICE regarding the incident.
The individuals on board are currently being processed under U.S. immigration law in Arizona. Their legal status and next steps remain pending review by federal immigration officials.