Toronto man ordered deported for role in sanctions evasion scheme for Iran

TORONTO · A deportation order has been issued for an Iranian citizen living in Toronto for his involvement in a criminal organization that evaded sanctions against Iran. The Immigration and Refugee Board found Amin Yousefijam played a crucial role as the logistician for a transnational procurement scheme. He oversaw shipments of electronics, motors and other items that could be used for both civilian and military purposes. The board determined these dual-use materials could be used to make weapons of mass destruction.

In a 36-page decision released this week, the board said Yousefijam's work was vital to getting the goods to Iran. "Yousefijam is a member of an organization that engaged in criminal activity that directly contravened sanctions imposed by Canada and the U.S.A. against the export of certain items to Iran," wrote IRB Member Christopher Marcinkiewicz. The board concluded he joined the effort voluntarily and understood its purpose. He arranged shipments from the United States, using the United Arab Emirates as a transit point to disguise their final destination.

The board rejected Yousefijam's portrayal of himself as an unwitting participant. It wrote that his attempt to distance himself and paint himself as an unsophisticated and ignorant individual working blindly at the behest of his brother undermines his general credibility. The Canada Border Services Agency had argued he remained a security threat, but the board based its deportation order solely on his membership in the criminal organization. Deportation hearings for Yousefijam took place between September 2024 and February 2025, with the order issued in July 2026.

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Yousefijam came to Canada in 2016, originally from Tehran under the name Amin Riki. He was arrested in Toronto in 2021 and extradited to Michigan, where he pleaded guilty for his role in the sanctions evasion group led by his brother, Arash. After his U.S. conviction, he was returned to Ontario and changed his name to Ameen Cohen. When applying for that legal name change in Ontario, he was asked if he had ever been convicted of a crime.

The board found he intentionally failed to disclose his U.S. conviction on the government form. "I find that his failure to declare his U.S. conviction on his name change was done intentionally," the IRB wrote, stating his conduct showed he would say whatever served his immediate purpose. Contacted by phone, Yousefijam said he was still in Canada and declined to discuss any appeal. He said it was an ongoing legal matter and he would not be able to discuss it in an interview.

He said he was considering his options and that the minister had their options, so the situation was still ongoing. He added that right now he was just living his life peacefully. The CBSA did not respond to questions about his deportation by the deadline. It is unclear why the IRB's decision took until July 2026, given his non-Canadian status and 2021 U.S. conviction.

The case occurs as Canada works to expel Iranian regime members. The government banned senior Iranian officials from Canada in 2022. Since then, the CBSA has opened dozens of investigations into such individuals across the country. As of Oct. 1, the agency said it had identified 40 top-level Iranian regime officials living in Canadian cities. Two have been deported, eight have left voluntarily, two are awaiting removal, and the rest are in or have completed the IRB process.

With files from Global News and UA.NEWS