News Summary
Alireza Doroudi, a 32-year-old Iranian doctoral student at the University of Alabama, was detained by ICE, causing unrest in the Iranian student community. His visa was revoked unexpectedly, and his case highlights growing fears among international students regarding immigration policies. Supporters held a protest advocating for his release, while a GoFundMe campaign raised significant funds for his legal expenses. This incident underlines the challenges and anxieties faced by international students navigating a changing immigration landscape in the U.S.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Alireza Doroudi, a 32-year-old Iranian doctoral student studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers early in the morning of March 2025. His arrest took place just days after he and his fiancée, Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani, celebrated the Persian New Year, abruptly altering their lives and instilling fear within the Iranian community on campus.
Bajgani, who is also pursuing her doctorate, reported that the circumstances surrounding Doroudi’s detention have deeply unsettled her and other Iranian students in Tuscaloosa. Following the incident, university faculty began advising students to maintain a low profile to avoid drawing attention to themselves, as fears of detention have escalated.
Doroudi’s visa was unexpectedly revoked in June 2023, though he had been assured he could remain in the United States as long as he remained a student. He had entered the country legally in January 2023 on a student visa, passed all immigration checks, and holds no criminal record. Despite these facts, his detention is part of a troubling trend of visa and legal status revocations impacting international students across the country.
Reports suggest that since late March 2025, more than 1,000 international students have faced similar actions under the current immigration policies. This crackdown has raised alarms among those studying in the U.S., leading to increased anxiety and depression among international students. Many now feel vulnerable and fear that they could soon be subject to the same treatment as Doroudi.
During his detention, Doroudi was held in a county jail for three days under poor conditions before being transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana, over 300 miles away from Tuscaloosa. His legal representative has stated that Doroudi has not committed any illegal acts, and ICE has failed to provide substantial evidence to support any national security concerns that might justify his detention.
In response to Doroudi’s situation, supporters organized a protest outside the federal courthouse in Tuscaloosa, with over 150 individuals advocating for his release and highlighting the broader implications of current immigration policies on international students. The University of Alabama has expressed its commitment to supporting international students while being limited by federal privacy regulations.
In an effort to cover Doroudi’s legal expenses, Bajgani started a GoFundMe campaign that has successfully raised over $25,000, reflecting the community’s support for the couple during this challenging time.
As the situation unfolds, Doroudi’s case has sparked dialogue about the treatment of international students in the United States. The heightened scrutiny and actions against students like Doroudi highlight systemic issues within immigration processes and raise questions about the safety and security of individuals pursuing education in the country.
This incident serves as a pressing reminder of the challenges facing international students in the U.S. as they navigate their academic pursuits in an environment that seems to be increasingly hostile. With more than a thousand students impacted, the ramifications of these policies are felt widely, emphasizing a growing concern among international scholars about their future in the United States.
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Visa Woes for International Students: A Worrying Trend Unfolds
University of Alabama Student Detained Amid Immigration Concerns
Graduate Student Detained by ICE Amid Rising Tensions
Tuscaloosa’s Iranian Scholar Arrest Raises National Security Concerns
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Additional Resources
- ABC News: Iranian Students at University of Alabama
- Wikipedia: International Students in the United States
- WBRC: Protesters Demand Release of Detained Iranian Student
- Google Search: Immigration Policies Impact on International Students
- Tuscaloosa News: University of Alabama Doctoral Student Arrested
- Google Scholar: Effects of Immigration Detention on Students
- CBS 42: Arrest of Alireza Doroudi in Alabama
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration Reform
- AL.com: Video Captures ICE Detaining Alireza Doroudi
- Google News: Immigration Crackdown on Students
