Siavash Sobhani had utilized for a brand new passport in February.
Despite being born within the United States and practising medication for over 30 years within the nation, a 62-year-old physician from Virginia has shockingly been stripped of his citizenship as a consequence of his late father’s standing as an Iranian diplomat on the time of his start. According to the Washington Post, Siavash Sobhani came upon he was stateless after a letter from a State Department official knowledgeable him that he was granted US citizenship by mistake when he was an toddler. The letter defined that these born within the US to folks with diplomatic immunity do not robotically purchase US citizenship.
“This was a shock to me,” Mr Sobhani informed the Washington Post. “I’m a doctor. I’ve been here all my life. I’ve paid my taxes. I’ve voted for presidents. I’ve served my community in Northern Virginia. During Covid, I was at work, putting myself at risk, putting my family at risk. So when you’re told after 61 years, ‘Oh there was a mistake, you’re no longer a US citizen,’ it’s really, really shocking,” he added.
Mr Sobhani had utilized for a brand new passport in February. He anticipated no difficulties within the process as he had renewed his passport a number of instances beforehand with out issues. However, this time, he didn’t obtain a brand new passport. Instead, the physician obtained a letter from the State Department saying that he mustn’t have been granted citizenship on the time of his start as a result of his father was a diplomat with the Embassy of Iran. The letter additionally directed the physician to a web site the place he may apply for lawful everlasting residence.
Speaking to the outlet, Mr Sobhani identified that the actual fact he was certainly a US citizen was confirmed again and again all through his life, each time his passport was renewed. So naturally it was “a shock” to him when he was informed that after 61 years, he was not a US citizen.
Also Read | Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan’s “Favourite” Drink At Coffee Chain Has Indian Connection. Read Here
Me Sobhani informed the publication that he has utilized for everlasting residence, as instructed. He has spent greater than $40,000 on authorized charges. However, he worries that he may wait in limbo as he nonetheless does not know when his case could be resolved.
“I’m waiting for an interview, but does that mean I wait another year for an interview? Then another three years for the next step? Then another 10 years before I can travel outside of the country?” he stated.
At 62, the physician stated that he has already began to consider retirement. He informed the outlet that he and his spouse deliberate to spend this 12 months exploring different nations in hopes of discovering a group the place they might purchase a house. However, now, he cannot even go to his pal in London who not too long ago had a stroke, or his father-in-law, who lives in Lebanon and is significantly in poor health. “If he passes away, I can’t even go to his funeral,” Mr Sobhani stated.