Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise helped to gain an Iranian woman’s release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement after he advocated for her.
Mandonna “Donna” Kashanian, 64, has been living in the U.S. for 47 years. Her husband, Russell Milne, and daughter, Kaitlynn Milne, are both U.S. citizens.
She was detained by ICE officers on June 22 while gardening at her New Orleans home, even though she has been allowed to stay in the country as long as she checks in regularly with immigration authorities, which she has religiously, her attorney and family said.
The community rallied for Ms. Kashanian, leading to Mr. Scalise’s involvement. The majority leader, who represents Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Ms. Kashanian’s home, told NBC affiliate WDSU that he was working with her family and the Department of Homeland Security to get her home.
“When she was picked up, we looked at it and said, ‘Are they really looking at it the right way objectively?’” he said. “And so they took a second look at it and recognized, she’s going to have a second asylum hearing, but let her do it from home. She’s been a great member of the community.”
“Her life’s work” is what she should be judged on, he said.
Mr. Scalise said the letters received from the community helped get her released from detention while she waits for her “fair shake” for asylum.
Ms. Kashanian’s attorney, Ken Mayeaux, told The Associated Press that Mr. Scalise’s involvement was “absolutely crucial” to getting her released. Any details about what’s next for Ms. Kashanian’s legal status are still in the works.
Mr. Mayueax said she “faithfully and fully complied” with the terms allowing her to stay with her husband and child.
However, DHS doesn’t seem swayed by the community’s feedback. Department spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that “the facts of this case have not changed.”
“Mandonna Kashanian is in this country illegally,” she said. “She exhausted all her legal options.”
Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, a Republican who represents the Kashanians’ community, said she had been a “devoted mother and wife, a caretaker, neighbor and dedicated volunteer” with Habitat for Humanity, her local school district and other organizations.
She told the AP that more than 100 of Ms. Kashanian’s neighbors wrote letters of support, which were shared with the Trump administration.
The ICE New Orleans X account announced her arrest and shared the details of her illegal stay in America.
She first traveled to the U.S. through New York in 1978 on a visa and applied for asylum status, but was denied. She failed to depart after the Board of Immigration Appeals upheld a deportation order in 1992.
“She was ordered by a judge to depart the U.S. and didn’t,” the account said. “Shouldn’t be surprised we came knocking.”
ICE has been targeting any illegal immigrants in the U.S. Fox News reported last month that ICE had arrested 130 Iranian nationals, while another 670 were in ICE detention.
Security concerns rose after the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated, leading to the two countries trading missile attacks. The U.S. launched its own attack on Iran on June 21, targeting three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
Iran was also one of the 12 countries placed on a U.S. travel ban last month.
— This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.