International Students in Alabama Express Fear Amid Detention of Political Researcher Without Ties

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Everything changed for Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani and her fiancé, Alireza Doroudi, after a night celebrating the Persian New Year at the University of Alabama. Just before dawn, armed immigration officers arrived at their apartment and arrested Doroudi.

Bajgani described the aftermath: “I was living a normal life until that night. After that, nothing feels normal.”

News of Doroudi’s arrest quickly spread through the small Iranian community in Tuscaloosa. Fellow students, once confident and lively, now feel the weight of uncertainty. Many have been encouraged by faculty to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

Doroudi, an Iranian student studying mechanical engineering, is not alone. Since late March, over 1,000 international students in the U.S. have had their visas revoked, according to an Associated Press review. Some of these students were reportedly affected after voicing opinions about global issues like the conflict in Gaza.

Bajgani shares that Doroudi came to the U.S. on a student visa in January 2023. He had been working hard, often juggling 60-hour weeks while supporting family back home. Despite having no criminal record, Doroudi learned in June that his visa was revoked without explanation. The university assured him he could stay as long as he continued his studies.

In a troubling turn, immigration officers knocked on their door in March. “I didn’t deserve this. If they had just sent me a letter asking me to appear in court, I would’ve come,” Doroudi stated in a letter relayed by Bajgani. He is now in an immigration detention facility in Louisiana, over 300 miles away, anxiously awaiting his deportation hearing.

The local university has offered assurances about supporting international students, yet the fear remains palpable. One friend of Doroudi’s mentioned losing over 10 pounds due to the stress swirling around these events. “It feels like we’re all waiting for our turn,” he said.

International students make up over 13% of the University of Alabama’s graduate population. This includes over 100 Iranian students, who typically come together to celebrate Sizdah Bedar, marking the end of the Persian New Year festivities. This year’s picnic felt somber to attendees, as fears of deportation hung in the air.

A doctoral student reflected, “Living here and thriving is becoming too hard.” Having spoken out against the Iranian government, she now questions her safety in Alabama, feeling a distressing resemblance to the atmosphere back home.

Numerous experts emphasize the importance of supporting international students, as their presence enriches the academic community. Dr. Amin Mohseni, a political science professor, states, “The diversity these students bring is essential for innovation and cultural exchange.”

As this situation unfolds, it raises questions about the future of international students in America and the overall climate for those seeking a better life. The implications of these immigration policies could reverberate across campuses nationwide, impacting many who dream of educational opportunities in the U.S.

For further insights, you can check the original reports from the Associated Press.



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