News Summary
Alireza Doroudi, a Ph.D. student from Iran at the University of Alabama, was detained by ICE due to alleged national security risks. His student visa was revoked unexpectedly, leading to a 68-day detention before he self-deported to Iran. Legal challenges ensued, with his attorney disputing the allegations and highlighting concerns about the immigration system’s transparency. Support for Doroudi grew, with fundraising efforts and protests calling attention to his case and the implications for international students facing similar challenges.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Alireza Doroudi, a graduate student from Iran attending the University of Alabama, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 25, 2025, amid serious allegations concerning national security. The arrest took place around 3 a.m. when the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit took him into custody. Following his arrest, Doroudi was transferred to a federal detention facility in Jena, Louisiana, where he remained for 68 days before self-deporting to Iran on June 1, 2025.
Doroudi, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and was poised to defend his dissertation in the upcoming academic year, had his student visa unexpectedly revoked by the U.S. State Department. Immigration authorities stated that this revocation was due to him posing significant risks to national security, though his attorney, David Rozas, disputed these claims, insisting that he was not aware of any substantial allegations against Doroudi. Rozas affirmed that Doroudi was legally present in the U.S. and had been working diligently toward his academic goals, without engaging in any political or protest activities.
Concerns surrounding Doroudi’s situation prompted his fiancé, Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani, to start a GoFundMe campaign to assist with legal fees. The campaign quickly raised over $21,000 within just one day. Additionally, student organizers from the Students for Justice in Palestine, an on-campus group, confirmed that Doroudi had no involvement in recent pro-Palestine protests, further emphasizing his non-political background during his time in the U.S.
Despite Doroudi’s enrollment at the university and assurances from officials regarding the validity of his student status, the revocation of his visa seemed abrupt, occurring nearly six months after his arrival in the country. After his prolonged detention, a court hearing on June 1 revealed that even the Department of Homeland Security acknowledged the irrelevance of the visa revocation charge while Doroudi remained in the U.S.
Upon his release from detention, Doroudi made the difficult decision to leave the United States. His attorney expressed concern about the fairness and transparency of the immigration system, indicating that this lack of clarity contributed to Doroudi’s choice to return to Iran. The attorney also criticized the situation as a form of “attrition by detention,” which highlights potential implications for other international students and immigrant communities navigating the U.S. immigration landscape.
In response to Doroudi’s detention, protests erupted in support of the student, with over 100 demonstrators gathering outside the Richard Shelby Federal Courthouse in Tuscaloosa. Activists and fellow students called attention to his plight, reinforcing the idea that the circumstances of his detention could impact many other international students facing similar struggles.
Even while incarcerated, Doroudi continued to make strides academically, with a research paper published during his time in ICE detention. This achievement underscores his commitment to his studies and future academic contributions, despite the challenging circumstances he faced. The incident illustrates the complexities and often turbulent realities of the immigration system, particularly concerning students from abroad.
As the situation surrounding Alireza Doroudi’s detention and subsequent deportation draws attention, it raises important questions regarding the treatment of international scholars in the U.S., as well as the broader implications for students who may find themselves in precarious legal situations amidst rising national security concerns.
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Additional Resources
- AL.com: Video captures ICE agents detaining Alireza Doroudi
- Wikipedia: Immigration and Nationality Act
- CBS 42: Alireza Doroudi flies back to Iran
- Google Search: Alireza Doroudi
- ABC 33/40: Video shows detainment of Alireza Doroudi
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- The Crimson White: Alireza Doroudi voluntarily deports to Iran
- Google News: Alireza Doroudi ICE
- 1819 News: Arrested UA Iranian student Alireza Doroudi
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The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
