Additional Coverage:
- Iranian student in Alabama to self-deport despite withdrawal of initial charge behind his arrest (cnn.com)
An Iranian PhD student at the University of Alabama has opted to self-deport after spending six weeks in a Louisiana immigration detention center. This comes after the government dropped one of the charges that led to his initial arrest, according to his lawyer and fiancée.
Alireza Doroudi was detained in March as part of a wider immigration crackdown. He was held at a facility in Jena, Louisiana, hundreds of miles from his home in Alabama. At the time, the State Department cited “significant national security concerns,” a claim his lawyer, David Rozas, says the government has yet to substantiate.
Doroudi’s visa was revoked in June 2023 without explanation, despite repeated inquiries. The University of Alabama advised him at the time that he could legally remain in the US, but would not be permitted to re-enter if he left.
The government later filed two charges to justify his deportation, claiming his visa was revoked and he was no longer a student “in status.” However, a government attorney recently withdrew the first charge, acknowledging the visa revocation was “prudential” and wouldn’t take effect until Doroudi left the country—corroborating the university’s earlier advice. Rozas has since provided evidence refuting the remaining accusation.
Despite this, Judge Maithe Gonzalez denied Doroudi’s request for bond reconsideration, giving both sides until the end of May to refile motions. Faced with continued detention, Doroudi chose self-deportation.
His fiancée, Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani, said Doroudi felt pressured to give up. She expressed confusion over why he was targeted, highlighting his clean record, legal entry into the US, and lack of political activism.
She described him as a dedicated scholar and anime enthusiast who did not deserve this ordeal. The couple’s future plans and life in Alabama are now shattered.
In a letter from detention, Doroudi expressed his frustration, maintaining his innocence and adherence to legal processes. Rozas, a seasoned immigration lawyer with 21 years of experience, called the case unprecedented, criticizing authorities for denying his client due process.
He expressed his devastation at the outcome, calling it a “travesty of justice.” A State Department spokesperson declined to comment.