Couple indicted for threatening ICE agents during deportation attempt

In the United States, an incident involving an Iranian national and his wife occurred in Tempe, Arizona, on June 21, 2025. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempted to execute a deportation order against 40-year-old Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, who had been unlawfully residing in the U.S. for over a decade following a removal order in 2013. When the officers approached the home, Linet Vartanians, Eidivand's 37-year-old wife, refused to let them in and insisted they return with a warrant. She then allegedly called local police to report the ICE agents and issued threats to shoot them if they tried to enter. As a result, Eidivand confirmed to the dispatcher that firearms were present in the residence. This prompted ICE to secure a search warrant, which, when executed the following day, led to the discovery of two loaded firearms in their home. Both suspects were arrested without further incident. Eidivand faces charges for being an alien in possession of a firearm, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Vartanians has been charged with threatening federal officers, facing a maximum penalty of 10 years. The court hearings for both individuals are scheduled for July 9, 2025, as they await the legal proceedings stemming from these serious allegations. This case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States and raises questions about the interactions between individuals facing deportation orders and federal officials seeking compliance with U.S. immigration laws. The incident reflects broader societal debates regarding immigration policy and public safety, illustrating the complexities that arise when law enforcement actions intersect with the personal lives of individuals in the country unlawfully.