Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian doctoral student at the University of Alabama, was detained by armed immigration officers, leading to widespread fear and uncertainty within the Iranian student community. His detention reflects the broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump's administration, which has resulted in over 1,000 international students across the U.S. having their visas revoked. Doroudi's visa was revoked without explanation, and he is currently held in a Louisiana detention facility, awaiting a deportation hearing. The Iranian student community at the university, once vibrant, now lives in fear, with many avoiding drawing attention to themselves to prevent similar detentions. The situation has created a chilling effect, with students feeling as though they are experiencing repression reminiscent of what they left behind in Iran, casting doubt on the concept of the American dream for them.

Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian doctoral student at the University of Alabama, was arrested by seven armed immigration officers after celebrating the Persian new year, and has been detained in a Louisiana facility for nearly six weeks, causing significant disruption to his life and that of his fiancée, Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani.

Doroudi's detention is part of a larger immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which has resulted in the revocation of visas for over 1,000 international students, including those who protested Israel’s war in Gaza, although some revocations have been reversed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The University of Alabama has not commented on Doroudi's specific case but has expressed that international students are valued and provides resources to help them comply with federal law and guidance for those with revoked visas.

Doroudi's detention and the broader immigration enforcement actions have instilled fear among the Iranian student community, leading to a significant impact on their mental health and their ability to live freely, with some avoiding any potential interactions with law enforcement.

Doroudi, who worked diligently on his studies and supported his community, had his visa revoked without explanation, and despite assurances from the university, was detained unexpectedly, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the immigration process.

The fear and uncertainty experienced by the Iranian students at the University of Alabama mirror the repression they sought to escape from in Iran, making them feel unsafe and questioning their future in the United States.

The issue highlights the challenges international students face in the U.S. under strict immigration policies, as they strive to pursue their education and contribute to their communities while grappling with the threat of deportation and loss of legal status.