A 64-year-old Iranian woman who has lived in the US for 47 years was detained by immigration agents while gardening outside her home in New Orleans. Madonna “Donna” Kashanian, a grandmother and longtime resident, had applied for asylum in 1978 citing fears of persecution due to her father’s ties to the US-backed Shah of Iran. Her asylum request was denied but she received a stay of removal on the condition she comply with immigration requirements.
Kashanian has no criminal record, but remains in ICE custody. The timing of her detention comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, following airstrikes in the region. Federal officials have declined to comment on her specific case.
Her family says Kashanian had long feared deportation, especially after Trump’s election. Despite being denied immigration adjustments due to past marriage issues, she built a life in New Orleans over four decades, sharing Persian recipes on YouTube and participating in her daughter’s school events.
As authorities continue to arrest Iranians nationwide, including two students at LSU, the situation remains uncertain for Kashanian’s family. With limited immigration attorneys in Louisiana, they are struggling to find help for their loved one. According to recent data, ICE has seen an 807% increase in arrests of people without criminal histories since Trump’s second inauguration this January.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/27/ice-detains-woman-iran-new-orleans