Ashlee Woods | @ashleemwoods
![UPDATE | New details have emerged about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s arrest of doctoral student Alireza Doroudi.
— Yesterday, a University spokesperson confirmed that a doctoral student was arrested by federal immigration authorities, without providing the student’s name, declining to share specific information due to federal privacy laws.
“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,” said Alex House, associate director of media relations for the University. “UA has and will continue to follow all immigration laws and cooperate with federal authorities.”
— An employee at the Pickens County Jail confirmed that Doroudi is being held there, adding that the facility typically sends ICE detainees to a detention facility in Louisiana.
— The Department of Homeland Security provided a statement about Doroudi’s arrest:
“ICE HSI [Homeland Security Investigations] 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 statement did not provide details about why it claimed Doroudi posed national security concerns.
— Students for Justice in Palestine at UA, formerly known as Bama Students for Palestine, said in a statement on social media Thursday that it was “outraged” to learn of his detainment and that he "was not involved, nor has he ever been involved in any organizing or protests related to our organization."
This is a developing story and will continue to be updated. Read the updates at the link in our bio.](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/486944895_18492822301025566_6944596333023050206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=hnp26Pzwsm0Q7kNvgH09W0S&_nc_oc=AdmIBEMuR_aRgaBd00Hlot3E59Vj_4lQyCImLLgp8CLdbxpSmLU25dhU_MO_Zul-qcU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&_nc_gid=7k9pd3LHBFYZ1pPS0oTNFA&oh=00_AYFftVVNTtLJrwzTNuj_86RxZ1KBFvzrnKceaoXHjxy4IA&oe=67EFF830)
The Actor’s Charitable Theatre, a community theater company for actors of all ages, held its first performance of the musical “Chicago” on Friday.
https://buff.ly/3CVRGh9
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees appointed Sid J. Trant as chancellor of the UA System Friday. Trant has served as interim chancellor for the past 10 months, after the retirement of former chancellor Finis St. John.
The UA Bateman Team hosted the “Save Our Stories” exhibit in Reese Phifer Hall Wednesday to raise awareness about ongoing book restrictions in Alabama libraries.