This is a breaking news story and will continue to be updated.
A UA student was reportedly detained by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement early Tuesday morning.
Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral student from Iran studying mechanical engineering, was reportedly arrested by ICE officers at around 5 a.m. at his home on Tuesday.
According to a message sent in a group chat that included Iranian students Tuesday, Doroudi entered the U.S. on an F-1 student visa issued by the U.S. Embassy in Oman in January 2023, after clearing all immigration checks. The message said Dourodi had his visa revoked six months after his arrival in the U.S.
“After receiving the revocation notice, Alireza immediately contacted ISSS [International Student and Scholar Services] at the University of Alabama,” the message said. “ISSS replied with confidence, stating that his case was not unusual or problematic and that he could remain in the U.S. legally as long as he maintained his student status.”
At the time of publication, an Iranian person with the name “Alireza Doroudi” was listed on the ICE website with the status of “In ICE custody.” A detention facility was not listed.
Update: David Rozas, the attorney representing Doroudi, sent a statement Friday saying that Doroudi has not been arrested for any crime and not involved in any “anti-government protests.”
“He is legally present in the U.S., pursuing his American dream by working towards his doctorate in mechanical engineering,” Rozas said. “He is also in the early stages of applying for an EB-1/Adjustment of Status as a researcher with
extraordinary ability.”
Update: A pro-Palestine student organization says Doroudi was not involved in events and protests.
Students for Justice in Palestine at UA, formerly known as the Bama Students for Palestine, said in a statement on social media Thursday that Doroudi “was not involved, nor has he ever been involved in any organizing or protests related to our organization.” Members of the group have previously helped organize pro-Palestine protests and events.
Update: The Department of Homeland Security provided a statement at 5:06 p.m. Thursday.
“ICE HSI made this arrest in accordance with the State Department’s revocation of Doroudi’s student visa. This individual posed significant national security concerns,” a DHS spokesperson said.
The department did not provide information about why it determined Doroudi posed a national security threat.
Update: On Thursday, around 3 p.m. an employee at Pickens County Jail confirmed Doroudi is being held in their facility.
An employee at the jail said in a phone call that no charges were listed on jail records, but that the facility holds people for ICE and will typically send them to a detention facility in Louisiana, though she did not specify which one.
Doroudi is also not listed on the jail’s online inmate roster.
Doroudi was charged with a misdemeanor in Pickens County in November 2023 for speeding over 25 mph or more, court records showed. The case was closed with Doroudi pleading guilty and paying a $267 fine.
Update: The University provided a comment at 5:47 p.m. Wednesday.
“The University of Alabama recently learned that a doctoral student has been detained off campus by federal immigration authorities. Federal privacy laws limit what can be shared about an individual student,” Alex House, associate director of media relations for the University, said. “International students studying at the University are valued members of the campus community, and International Student and Scholar Services is available to assist international students who have questions. UA has and will continue to follow all immigration laws and cooperate with federal authorities.”
