Iranian Man Detained by ICE in Tempe Amid Removal Order, DHS Confirms

TEMPE, Ariz. — An Iranian man and his wife were arrested at their home on Sunday morning as part of a recent operation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The couple is among 11 Iranian nationals apprehended over the past 48 hours.

DHS confirmed that Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, 40, came to the United States in 2012 and received a voluntary departure order in 2013, which he did not comply with. His immigration appeal was denied, leading to his current detention pending removal proceedings.

Video footage shows federal agents forcibly entering the couple’s home using an armored tactical vehicle, drawing attention from local witnesses. Agents commanded a man and woman to exit before handcuffing them for transport.

Asadi Eidivand’s wife, Linet Vartaniann, a U.S. citizen aged 37, faces federal charges for allegedly harboring him and issuing threats to ICE officers.

Protests erupted at the scene as community members became aware of the arrests through social media. Witnesses described the agents’ actions as aggressive and called for accountability.

In a statement, ICE emphasized its commitment to public safety by arresting individuals violating immigration laws.

Asadi Eidivand’s brother, Mehrad Asadi Eidivand, has been detained at the Florence Detention Center since May. His attorney, Rebecca Cheaves, expressed concerns regarding the focus on their nationality, noting that Mehrad entered the U.S. legally while seeking asylum in 2022. He has not faced legal issues during his time in Arizona.

Mehrad has since initiated hunger strikes in protest of his detention, prompting the government to seek court permission to force-feed him. Cheaves has supported his decision but expressed her concerns about its potential consequences.

The recent arrests raise questions about whether they are tied to geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. As of now, ICE has not provided an explanation on this matter.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for further developments.