Reza Zavvar, a longtime U.S. resident and green card holder, was arrested by ICE agents on June 28, 2025, while walking his dog near his home in Maryland. He now faces possible deportation to Australia or Romania because of a decades-old marijuana possession charge, despite having legal status and a non-expulsion order since 2007. His case highlights the growing risks for legal immigrants with old offenses under new U.S. and Australian immigration policies.
Reza’s Arrest and Detention
Reza, originally from Iran, has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years. On June 28, 2025, ICE agents detained him without warning as he walked his dog. He was quickly transferred from Maryland to a detention center in Texas, far from his home and family. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, this kind of transfer is common in recent mass deportation efforts, which often target legal residents with past criminal records.
ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is the U.S. agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and carrying out deportations. In Reza’s case, ICE is acting under a broader plan to remove not only undocumented immigrants but also legal residents with old or minor offenses. This approach has led to renewed fear among many immigrants who believed their legal status protected them from deportation.
Why Is Reza Facing Deportation Now?
Reza’s trouble began with a marijuana possession charge from the 1990s. Although he received a non-expulsion order in 2007, which should have protected him from removal, ICE has reopened his case. The agency is using new enforcement priorities that allow them to revisit settled cases, especially those involving any criminal history, no matter how old or minor.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has not commented on Reza’s specific case. However, officials have stated that they are strictly enforcing immigration laws, including against green card holders with past offenses. This policy shift has alarmed many legal immigrants, who now worry that even old mistakes could lead to detention and deportation.
Australia’s Role and New Deportation Laws
If deported, Reza could be sent to Australia 🇦🇺 because of his past travel history or possible dual citizenship. Australia has recently passed tough new anti-migration laws. These laws, approved in late 2024, give the government broad power to detain and deport noncitizens, including recognized refugees, to third countries—even if those countries do not promise safety or basic rights.
Australia’s new laws also make it a crime to refuse to cooperate with deportation and allow the government to take away refugee status more easily. Political leaders, such as Peter Dutton, have pushed for even stricter rules in 2025, leading to more visa cancellations and deportations. Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Australia’s Human Rights Commission, have criticized these changes, saying they break international law and put people at risk.
If Reza is sent to Australia, he could face detention or be moved again to a third country under what is called “third country reception arrangements.” These arrangements do not guarantee safety, permanent residence, or even basic protections. People in this situation may end up in offshore detention centers or countries with poor human rights records.
How the Deportation Process Works
For people like Reza, the deportation process usually follows these steps:
- Arrest and Detention: ICE agents arrest the individual, often without warning, and move them to a detention center, sometimes in another state.
- Removal Proceedings: The person appears before an immigration judge. Even if they had a previous non-expulsion order, ICE can ask to reopen the case under new enforcement rules.
- Country of Removal: If the judge orders deportation, the person may be sent to their country of citizenship, a country they have ties to, or, under new Australian laws, to a third country that may not offer protection.
Reza received a non-expulsion order
Reza Zavvar arrested by ICE agents
Australia passed new anti-migration laws
Political leaders push for stricter rules
No public statements from U.S. or Australian officials
This process can be confusing and frightening, especially for those who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years and have families, jobs, and community ties.
Concerns from Human Rights Groups
Experts warn that these policies may break the rule of “non-refoulement.” This rule, part of international law, says that no one should be sent to a country where they could face danger or harm. Australia’s new laws do not guarantee safety for deportees, and the U.S. mass deportation plan does not always consider the risks people face after removal.
Human Rights Watch and other organizations have spoken out against these policies. They argue that sending people like Reza to countries where they may be detained again, or sent to yet another country, is unfair and unsafe. They also say that reopening old cases and targeting legal residents with minor offenses undermines trust in the immigration system.
What Can Affected Individuals Do?
People facing deportation or worried about loved ones in similar situations can take several steps:
- Contact ICE or a Lawyer: If someone is detained, family members can reach out to ICE for information or seek help from an immigration lawyer. The official ICE contact page is available at https://www.ice.gov/contact.
- Reach Out to Human Rights Groups: Organizations like Human Rights Watch (https://www.hrw.org/australia) can provide information and sometimes legal support.
- Monitor Case Status: Stay informed about any changes in immigration laws or enforcement priorities that could affect the case.
Implications for Immigrant Communities
Reza’s case is not unique. Many legal immigrants now face similar risks, especially those with old or minor criminal records. The combination of stricter U.S. enforcement and Australia’s new deportation laws means that even people with legal status can be detained and removed, sometimes to countries where they have no real connection or protection.
Families are often separated, and individuals may lose their homes, jobs, and support networks overnight. The fear of sudden arrest by ICE agents has grown in many communities, leading some people to avoid public places or stop reporting to immigration offices, even when required.
Looking Ahead
As of August 5, 2025, there are no public statements from U.S. or Australian officials about Reza’s case. Both governments continue to defend their tough immigration policies, saying they are needed for national security and border control. Legal challenges and protests continue, but the future remains uncertain for people like Reza.
For those affected, staying informed and seeking legal help is essential. According to VisaVerge.com, understanding your rights and connecting with advocacy groups can make a difference, even in difficult cases.
In summary, Reza’s arrest and possible deportation show how changing immigration policies in the United States 🇺🇸 and Australia 🇦🇺 are affecting legal residents and refugees. The situation calls for careful attention, legal support, and ongoing advocacy to protect the rights and safety of those at risk.
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