To: President Donald J. Trump; Secretary of Homeland Security; U.S. Secretary of State

Subject: Immediate release and protection for Iranian dissident and scholar Erfan Qaneei Fard

Why this matters

Erfan Qaneei Fard is a researcher and counter-terrorism analyst who has spent years speaking out against extremism and the abuses of Iran’s regime. For that speech, he faces a very real risk of imprisonment, torture, or worse if deported to Iran. According to a recent report, Erfan is currently detained by ICE in Texas over an immigration matter that his supporters say stems from attorney error, not any crime or threat to public safety. Deporting him would be a grave injustice and a violation of America’s commitment to protect people at risk of persecution. 

Independent reporting and official human-rights documents make clear that Iran continues to torture detainees, conduct unfair trials, and carry out executions at an alarming rate, especially against dissidents, journalists, and perceived critics. The U.S. State Department and United Nations have both documented these abuses. Returning a well-known critic like Erfan to Iran would expose him to a high probability of persecution or torture, contravening U.S. obligations under non-refoulement (withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture). 

At the same time, recent reports indicate new U.S. removals to Iran are being arranged, heightening the urgency of Erfan’s situation and the risk to outspoken opponents of Iran’s regime. 

Who Erfan Qaneei Fard is

Erfan is an author and analyst whose work has appeared in established outlets; he has written extensively on Iran’s security apparatus, regional militias, and state-sponsored terrorism. His writing and commentary are acts of conscience that directly place him in danger if returned. 

What we’re asking

We call on the President of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State to:

1. Immediately release Erfan Qaneei Fard from ICE custody (parole or bond) pending resolution of his case, recognizing he poses no danger and has strong humanitarian equities. 
2. Stay any removal and ensure full access to counsel and due process, including the opportunity to pursue withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection consistent with U.S. law and treaty obligations (8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3); CAT non-refoulement). 
3. Exercise prosecutorial discretion (PD), deferred action, or other humanitarian relief recognizing the extraordinary risk of persecution and torture dissidents face in Iran today. 
4. Coordinate with the Department of State to affirm that returning high-profile critics of Iran’s regime to Iran would violate U.S. commitments to protect freedom of expression and would endanger their lives.

Our message to U.S. leaders

America’s promise is to protect people who speak out against tyranny. Erfan’s case is a test of that promise. Removing him to Iran where independent reporting shows widespread torture, unfair trials, and a surge in executions would place him in immediate peril and betray the values we claim to uphold. We ask you to act now, release him, and ensure he receives protection in the United States.

Please sign and share to help free Erfan Qaneei Fard.

For reference:

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202510139225​

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/415781