<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An Iranian-born man living in America for 40 years has been threatened with deportation to Australia by US </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/immigration" rel="" target="_blank" title="immigration"><span>immigration</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Reza Zavvar, 52, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers just metres from his home in Maryland five weeks ago.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He is now languishing in an Ohio prison and has been told he faces deportation to Romania or Down Under – however Australian authorities say they have been blindsided by this claim.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-couple-esta-problem-cruise-cancelled-face-ban-from-travelling-to-usa-exclusive/c776994f-92cf-458f-b1d8-7de44ed985fa" target="_blank"><strong><span>Aussie couple's dream holiday ruined over US immigration debacle</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Zavvar, who is not an Australian citizen, moved to the US from Iran in 1985 as a 12-year-old.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was the only one in the family to not obtain US citizenship.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Zavvar had a green card, but it was removed in 2004 because of two misdemeanour marijuana possession charges in the 1990s.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/maryland-man-facing-deportation-to-australia-after-us-immigration-arrest-man-on-suburban-street/30f9bfad-3a58-42f9-bbd0-04d18d40ef24" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was granted a non-expulsion order to Iran, which allowed him to remain in America and continue working legally.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His mother Firouzeh Firouzabadi said Zavvar was taken into custody by immigration agents while walking his dog.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She hasn't seen him since.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Being in a grey area with lots of question marks, it's torture," she told 9News through tears.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Court documents obtained by 9News show the US Department of Homeland Security declaring its intention to deport Zavvar to Australia or Romania.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/visas-australia-south-korean-family-in-melbourne-facing-deportation-over-document-error-plea-to-immigration-minister/fbe7e793-9a9f-4a63-a16a-ed0accae724e" target="_blank" title="Melbourne family risk being deported to South Korea over 'misunderstanding'"><strong><span>Melbourne family risk being deported to South Korea over 'misunderstanding'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Australian government said it hasn't been informed of any move by its ally to send over deportees.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We consider any application for a visa in its merits, we have not been contacted by the US Government about this matter," a government spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His sister Maryam said the family have no idea what might happen to their beloved brother and son.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's absolutely frustrating, it's heartbreaking for all of us," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He is not a criminal, he is the nicest guy you can possibly imagine. Our society, our community, is not benefitting from whats happening to our family and to Reza."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Immigration Attorney Ava Beach said she hopes there is no plan to deport Zavvar to Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Australia doesn't seek to be a place where America deports people to that aren't Americans," Beach said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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