After a joyous evening celebrating the Persian new year at the University of Alabama, Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani and her fiance, Alireza Doroudi, faced a harrowing experience when seven armed immigration officers arrived at their apartment in the early hours of the morning and arrested Doroudi.
Following Doroudi’s detention, fear and uncertainty gripped the Iranian community in Tuscaloosa, where the couple are doctoral students. Other Iranian students have been cautioned to “lay low” and “be invisible,” creating a sense of dread among the once vibrant cohort.
Doroudi’s situation is not unique, as students across the U.S. have been detained in recent weeks as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Despite having no criminal record or public political views, Doroudi faces deportation, leaving Bajgani puzzled and distressed.
The impact of Doroudi’s detention extends beyond him, as a close friend mentioned how stress and depression have taken a toll, highlighting the pervasive fear among international students.
‘I Stayed With Their Permission’
Doroudi, a dedicated mechanical engineering student from Shiraz, Iran, entered the U.S. legally on a student visa and worked tirelessly to pursue his dreams.
Despite his visa being revoked without explanation, Doroudi continued his studies with the assurance from the university that he could remain in the country. However, his world was shattered when immigration officers showed up at his door.
While Doroudi awaits a deportation hearing in a Louisiana immigration detention facility, questions loom over the validity of his arrest and the impact on his future.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
Amid Trump’s immigration crackdown, over 1,000 international students have faced visa revocations, leading to a climate of fear and uncertainty among the immigrant community.
Although some revocations have been reversed, the ordeal has left a lasting impact on affected individuals and their loved ones.
As the situation unfolds, international students at the University of Alabama grapple with the harsh realities of the immigration system, highlighting the need for support and advocacy.
Despite the challenges they face, these students remain resilient in the face of adversity and continue to pursue their academic aspirations.
