Overview

• ICE released Mandonna “Donna” Kashanian this week following a direct appeal by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise to the Department of Homeland Security.
• The 64-year-old was detained on June 22 as she tended her garden in New Orleans despite having no criminal record.
• More than 100 letters from neighbors and advocacy by state Rep. Stephanie Hilferty helped bring Kashanian’s case to Trump administration officials.
• Kashanian had lived in the United States since 1978 under a voluntary-departure order and never missed a required check-in with immigration authorities.
• Her legal team plans to file for asylum or permanent residency under updated laws as ICE continues to step up deportations of Iranian nationals.