News Summary
Two Iranian Ph.D. students at Louisiana State University were arrested by ICE under contentious circumstances, prompting intervention from the ACLU. Their detention followed a reported hit-and-run incident where federal agents misled them, resulting in nearly a month in custody. Despite holding valid visas for their studies, their case highlights concerns about discrimination against Iranian nationals amid heightened geopolitical tensions and recent U.S. military actions. The couple was released after a judge’s recommendation, bringing attention to the precarious status of international students in the current political climate.
Baton Rouge – Two Iranian Ph.D. Students Arrested by ICE, Released After ACLU Intervention
Two Iranian nationals studying at Louisiana State University (LSU) were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at their off-campus apartment. The students, Pouria Pourhosseinhendabad and Parisa Firouzabadi, were confirmed as LSU Ph.D. candidates in mechanical engineering. Their arrests prompted intervention from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), resulting in their release after nearly a month in detention.
LSU spokesman Todd Woodward confirmed the couple’s arrest but did not provide additional details about their situation. An anonymous tip to the Illuminator newspaper identified the students and indicated they had been apprehended at their residence. ICE’s detainee database listed Pourhosseinhendabad as in custody but did not disclose his location.
The arrests occurred soon after President Donald Trump authorized military action against Iranian nuclear facilities, coinciding with a series of arrests targeting Iranian nationals in the United States. Since Trump’s announcement, multiple arrests have been reported, including at least one other Iranian woman in Louisiana. However, the reasons behind the specific targeting of these students remain unclear, and ICE has not responded to inquiries regarding the case.
Both students held legal status to study in the U.S., as all international graduate students must have valid visas in accordance with the State Department’s regulations. Approximately 12,000 Iranian students are among the over one million international students currently enrolled in U.S. colleges. It is currently undetermined whether their visas have been revoked, as reports indicate that nearly 2,000 international students and recent graduates have faced sudden changes to their legal status, allegedly targeting individuals for political expression.
Arrest Details and ACLU Involvement
The ACLU reported that the couple’s detention began following an incident involving a hit-and-run accident that they had previously reported. ICE agents allegedly misled the couple into leaving their home under the guise of an investigation into this incident. After they exited the premises, federal agents apprehended them. Firouzabadi was informally linked to deportation proceedings due to a 2023 visa revocation, the rationale for which remains shrouded in ambiguity.
On June 22, local police officers knocked on the couple’s door, claiming to be investigating the hit-and-run. Federal agents, presumed to be from ICE, arrested the couple after they accompanied the officers to their vehicle. The ACLU maintained that their detention was unlawful, asserting that the circumstances of their arrest were discriminatory, particularly in light of ongoing U.S. military actions against Iran.
The couple was ultimately released following a federal magistrate judge’s recommendation that cited a significant risk of irreparable harm. The government subsequently agreed to dismiss all deportation proceedings against them. The case has raised questions regarding the treatment of international students and the potential targeting of Iranian nationals amidst heightened political tensions.
Background Context
Since the initiation of the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies, there has been heightened scrutiny of immigrants’ social media for potential extremist viewpoints or “antisemitism.” This scrutiny has raised alarms about civil liberties and the fair treatment of international students in the U.S. education system. The unexplained legal status change for many Iranian nationals has led to increased anxiety and insecurity within the community of foreign students, especially in the wake of controversial military actions.
As the situation continues to evolve, the implications for international students, particularly those from Iran, and the policies governing their residency status will remain a key focus of advocacy groups and higher education institutions. The case of Pourhosseinhendabad and Firouzabadi exemplifies the precarious position faced by many international students navigating complex immigration regulations amid political turbulence.
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Additional Resources
- La Illuminator: Two Iranian-born LSU Students Arrested by ICE
- The New York Times: Iranian Student Released
- NBC News: Two Iranian Students Released from ICE
- Wikipedia: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- ACLU: Immigrants’ Rights
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