Just a few months ago, Safa Sefidgari, an Iranian Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers University, was excitedly preparing for her first child in New Jersey. Despite being far from home, she was making friends and her English was getting better every day. But everything changed in March when she went into labor at just 30 weeks, weeks ahead of her due date.
Safa was alone. Her husband, Ehsan Entezari, was stuck in Canada without a visa. She had to face the hospital experience by herself, filled with uncertainty and worry. Tragically, their baby passed away a week after birth. Ehsan was unable to be by her side due to the Trump administration’s travel ban against certain countries, including Iran.
The travel ban, enacted to “protect the U.S. from foreign threats,” has had devastating effects on countless families. Safa and Ehsan haven’t seen each other since January. While Safa managed to secure her F-1 visa for school, Ehsan’s attempts to obtain an F-2 visa as her spouse were repeatedly denied without clear explanations. An immigration official’s note highlighted factors like family and community ties, but it felt like a vague rejection to them.
Experts estimate that many Iranians are struggling with similar issues in the current political climate. A report from the National Immigration Forum suggests that over 30,000 Iranian citizens are affected by visa delays and denials due to travel restrictions and complex immigration policies.
Separated and grieving, Safa often reflects on the hardships brought by the travel ban. “They don’t care about people’s lives,” she said. It’s heart-wrenching to think how her situation might have been different if Ehsan had been with her.
Last year, the couple participated in a lawsuit against the travel ban, arguing that it unjustly affects student visas. Jesse Bless, one of the attorneys involved, noted that many Iranians already faced long waits for visa approval before the ban. He fears that even if the ban is lifted, it could take years for visa applications to be processed.
Safa moved to the U.S. in 2024, excelling academically in nutrition back in Iran before advancing her studies at Rutgers. Meanwhile, Ehsan, who has a master’s in metals engineering, is finishing a postdoctoral program in Canada.
The couple’s relationship spans a decade, beginning in university in Tehran. Their shared dream was to study abroad and eventually settle in a country that offered better opportunities. Unfortunately, after their wedding in 2023, the political landscape shifted dramatically, leaving them in a legal limbo.
Safa feels isolated. “After everything that happened, New Jersey brings back bad memories,” she expressed. Yet, it’s where she plans to lay her baby to rest.
Ehsan struggles too, feeling helpless and frustrated at the prolonged separation. In a heartfelt email to a senator, he shared how the distance has heightened his anxiety and depression. “Nobody has been able to help us,” he said.
Many families share their stories on social media, expressing solidarity through hashtags and campaigns. The emotional toll is immense, especially for those like Safa, who lost a child during such a demanding time.
With her visa renewal approaching, Safa grapples with uncertainty. “Everything has been hard since I came here,” she remarked. At moments, the weight of it all feels unbearable. Despite her struggles, she has found solace in the support of friends who have stepped in as family during this painful time.
For those affected by the current immigration policies, stories like Safa and Ehsan’s underscore the human cost of bureaucracy. As they await a resolution, one thing is clear: these policies impact lives in profound ways.
For more on immigration issues and their effects, you can check resources from trusted organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union.
