Key Takeaways
• Mandonna Kashanian, detained in 2025 by ICE despite 47 years of compliance and U.S. family ties.
• ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals in June 2025 amid heightened U.S.-Iran political tensions.
• Advocates call for case-by-case reviews and criticize broad enforcement lacking transparency.
Mandonna Kashanian’s Detention by ICE in New Orleans: A Family’s Struggle and the Broader Impact on Iranian Immigrants
Mandonna Kashanian, an Iranian mother who has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for nearly five decades, was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in her own yard in New Orleans. Her arrest has sent shockwaves through her family and the wider Iranian American community, raising urgent questions about current immigration enforcement policies, due process, and the human cost of political tensions between the United States 🇺🇸 and Iran 🇮🇷.
This article explores the details of Mandonna Kashanian’s case, the policy environment that led to her detention, and what it means for other long-term residents and their families. It also looks at the broader pattern of ICE actions against Iranian nationals and the challenges faced by families and advocates seeking justice and transparency.
Who Is Mandonna Kashanian and Why Was She Detained?
Mandonna Kashanian first arrived in the United States 🇺🇸 in 1978, just before the Iranian Revolution, on a student visa. Fearing for her safety due to her father’s support of the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran 🇮🇷, she applied for asylum—a form of protection for people who fear harm in their home country. Her asylum request was denied, but she was allowed to stay in the country with her U.S. citizen husband and their daughter. The condition was that she regularly checked in with immigration authorities.
For 47 years, Mandonna Kashanian complied with every requirement. Even during Hurricane Katrina, she checked in remotely, showing her commitment to following the rules. Despite this long history of compliance, ICE officers arrived at her New Orleans home in 2025, handcuffed her while she was gardening, and took her to a detention center in Basile, Louisiana.
Her daughter, Kaitlynn Milne, expressed deep worry about her mother’s future, saying, “She tried to do everything right.” The family is now desperately seeking information and working to secure her release.
A Growing Pattern: ICE’s Increased Arrests of Iranian Nationals
Mandonna Kashanian’s case is not an isolated incident. In 2024 and 2025, ICE has increased arrests of Iranian nationals, including people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for decades and have deep ties to their communities. The Department of Homeland Security has not released the total number of Iranians arrested, but advocacy groups and immigration lawyers report a clear uptick.
This increase in enforcement comes at a time of heightened political tension between the United States 🇺🇸 and Iran 🇮🇷, including recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets. According to the National Iranian American Council, ICE’s approach appears to be a broad “round up” of Iranians, regardless of whether they pose any real threat.
Ryan Costello, policy director of the National Iranian American Council, described the situation as “very concerning,” pointing out that many arrests do not seem to be based on individualized threat assessments. Instead, people like Mandonna Kashanian, who have followed all the rules and built their lives in the United States 🇺🇸, are being swept up in these enforcement actions.
Recent ICE Operations: Who Is Being Targeted?
In late June 2025, ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals over a single weekend in cities such as Houston and Colorado Springs. Some of those arrested had criminal records or final orders of removal, meaning a judge had already ordered them to leave the country. Others, however, like Mandonna Kashanian, had no criminal history and had complied with all immigration requirements for years.
This mix of cases has led to confusion and fear among Iranian American families. While some arrests involve people with serious criminal backgrounds, others seem to target individuals whose only “violation” is a technical immigration issue or a denied asylum claim from decades ago.
Key facts about recent ICE actions:
– 11 Iranian nationals arrested in late June 2025
– Arrests took place in multiple locations, including Houston and Colorado Springs
– Some detainees had criminal convictions, but others had lived in the U.S. for decades with no criminal record
– Mandonna Kashanian was arrested despite her long-term compliance and family ties
The Policy Environment: Why Are These Arrests Happening Now?
The current wave of arrests reflects a more aggressive ICE enforcement strategy toward Iranian nationals. This shift is closely linked to rising tensions between the United States 🇺🇸 and Iran 🇮🇷, with U.S. officials citing national security concerns. However, many experts and advocates argue that these policies are too broad and do not take into account the individual circumstances of each person.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not explained the criteria used to decide who gets arrested. This lack of transparency makes it hard for families to understand what is happening or to prepare for possible enforcement actions.
Advocacy groups like the National Iranian American Council have called for more careful, case-by-case reviews. They argue that targeting people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for decades, have U.S. citizen family members, and have followed all rules does not make the country safer. Instead, it creates fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities.
The Human Cost: Families Caught in the Middle
For families like Mandonna Kashanian’s, the impact of these arrests is devastating. Her daughter, Kaitlynn Milne, has spoken out about the pain and confusion her family is experiencing. She worries about her mother’s health and safety in detention and fears for her future.
Families of detainees face several challenges:
– Limited information: ICE often does not provide clear updates about where detainees are being held or what will happen next.
– Legal complexity: The immigration system is difficult to understand, especially for people who do not have legal training.
– Emotional stress: The sudden loss of a loved one to detention can cause anxiety, depression, and financial hardship.
– Uncertain future: Even families with U.S. citizen members may face separation if a loved one is deported.
Mandonna Kashanian’s case has drawn public attention because it highlights how even people who have done everything right can still be caught up in immigration enforcement. Her story is a reminder that immigration policies have real-life consequences for families and communities.
Detention Centers and the Removal Process
After her arrest, Mandonna Kashanian was taken to a detention center in Basile, Louisiana. Detention centers like this one hold people who are waiting for removal proceedings—a legal process that decides whether someone can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or must leave.
The removal process can be long and confusing. Detainees may have to wait weeks or months for a hearing. They often need legal help to understand their rights and to present their case to an immigration judge. Families can visit the ICE website for information about detention centers and removal proceedings, but the site often lacks details about individual cases.
For those seeking legal help, organizations like the National Iranian American Council and local legal aid groups can provide support. However, resources are limited, and not everyone can get the help they need.
Due Process and Humanitarian Concerns
Immigration experts warn that the current approach risks violating basic principles of fairness and due process. Due process means that everyone has the right to a fair hearing and to know the reasons for their detention or possible removal.
In Mandonna Kashanian’s case, her long history of compliance and her deep ties to the United States 🇺🇸 raise questions about whether her detention is justified. Advocacy groups argue that people like her should be given the chance to present their case and to stay with their families, especially if they do not pose a threat to public safety.
There are also humanitarian concerns. Detention can be hard on people’s health, especially for older adults or those with medical conditions. Families worry about the well-being of their loved ones in detention centers, which have faced criticism for poor conditions and lack of medical care.
Community Trust and the Impact on Immigrant Communities
The aggressive enforcement actions by ICE have broader effects on immigrant communities. When people see long-term residents like Mandonna Kashanian being detained, it can erode trust in government institutions. Immigrants may become afraid to interact with authorities, even for routine matters, out of fear that they or their loved ones could be arrested.
This loss of trust can make communities less safe, as people may be less likely to report crimes or cooperate with law enforcement. It can also lead to social isolation and mental health problems.
Advocacy groups and immigration lawyers stress the need for policies that balance security concerns with respect for individual rights and family unity. They call for more transparency from ICE and for policies that focus on real threats, not blanket enforcement against entire groups.
What Can Families and Advocates Do?
Families affected by ICE actions can take several steps to seek help and protect their rights:
– Contact advocacy groups: Organizations like the National Iranian American Council offer support and can connect families with legal resources.
– Seek legal advice: Immigration law is complex, and having a lawyer can make a big difference in removal proceedings.
– Stay informed: The ICE website provides general information about detention and removal, though it may not have details about specific cases. For official information on removal proceedings, visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review.
– Reach out to elected officials: Sometimes, members of Congress can help families get information or advocate for their loved ones.
The Future: Calls for Change and the Path Ahead
As of July 2025, there have been no official announcements about changes to ICE’s enforcement policy toward Iranian nationals. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not shared details about how many people have been arrested or what criteria are being used.
Families and advocacy groups continue to push for more transparency, legal support, and humane treatment of detainees. The case of Mandonna Kashanian has brought national attention to these issues, and there is hope that public pressure may lead to changes in policy or new protections for long-term residents.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that cases like Mandonna Kashanian’s could influence future legislative or administrative actions, especially as more people become aware of the human impact of current enforcement strategies.
Key Takeaways for Immigrants and Their Families
- Long-term compliance does not guarantee protection: Even people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for decades and followed all rules can be subject to detention and removal.
- Political tensions can affect immigration enforcement: Changes in foreign policy or national security concerns may lead to increased arrests of certain groups.
- Legal support is critical: Understanding your rights and having legal representation can make a big difference in removal proceedings.
- Advocacy matters: Public attention and advocacy can help bring about policy changes and protect vulnerable individuals.
Conclusion: The Human Side of Immigration Enforcement
The detention of Mandonna Kashanian by ICE in New Orleans is more than just a legal case—it is a story about family, community, and the real-life impact of immigration policies. As her family fights for her release, their struggle highlights the need for fair, transparent, and humane immigration enforcement.
For those facing similar challenges, seeking legal help, staying informed, and connecting with advocacy groups can provide support and hope. As the debate over immigration policy continues, stories like Mandonna Kashanian’s remind us that behind every case are real people whose lives are deeply affected by the decisions of government agencies.
For more information on immigration detention and removal proceedings, visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. Families seeking advocacy or legal support can also reach out to organizations like the National Iranian American Council.
By staying informed and engaged, individuals and communities can work toward a more just and compassionate immigration system—one that respects both the law and the dignity of every person.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforces immigration laws and detains those violating them.
Asylum → Protection granted to individuals fearing persecution in their home country due to threats or violence.
Detention Center → Facility where immigrants await hearings or deportation decisions under immigration enforcement.
Removal Proceedings → Legal process to determine if an immigrant must leave the United States.
Due Process → Legal requirement that ensures fair treatment and the right to a hearing before deprivation of liberty.
This Article in a Nutshell
Mandonna Kashanian’s 2025 detention by ICE amid political tensions highlights risks for long-term Iranian residents facing broad immigration enforcement without clear criteria or transparency.
— By VisaVerge.com
