TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian doctoral student at the University of Alabama, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) early Tuesday morning at his home in Tuscaloosa. Doroudi, who entered the U.S. on an F-1 visa in January 2023, reportedly had his visa revoked six months later for unclear reasons. Despite assurances from the university’s International Student and Scholar Services that he could legally remain as long as he maintained his student status, ICE apprehended him this week.
The University of Alabama confirmed Wednesday that a doctoral student had been detained off-campus but cited federal privacy laws in declining to provide further details. Doroudi’s detention comes amid broader concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which have increasingly targeted international students. Advocacy groups have noted a rise in visa revocations and detentions under Trump’s leadership, particularly affecting students from countries like Iran.
While exact figures on student detentions remain elusive, reports suggest that ICE enforcement against international students has intensified since Trump’s re-election. Policies limiting student visas and stricter vetting of employment programs like Optional Practical Training (OPT) have created uncertainty for foreign nationals pursuing education in the U.S.
Doroudi’s case highlights the precarious situation many international students face in Alabama and across the nation. With no clear explanation for his detention or current whereabouts, questions remain about the implications of these immigration policies for academic institutions and their global communities.