According to the school, doctoral students at the University of Alabama are being detained by federal immigration authorities.
Alileza Drowdy, a researcher of Iranian national mechanical engineering, was detained by an officer of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) at his home off-campus in Tuscaloosa around 5am on Tuesday, UA student paper Crimson White reported.
University officials confirmed that the graduate students were detained by federal immigration authorities but did not verify their identity by citing privacy reasons.
ICE records show that the person named Alireza Doroudi is currently “in custody” but will not say where he is being held. According to al.com.
It is unclear exactly why Drowdy was taken into custody.
According to Crimson White, Doroudi entered the United States in January 2023 and learned that his F-1 student visa had been revoked six months later.
Iranians contacted UA international students and academic services (ISS). The department told him that notifications were not a major issue and that he could remain in the United States as long as he maintains his student status, the paper reported.
“The federal privacy laws limit what can be shared about individual students,” UA spokesman Alex House said in a statement.
“International students studying at the university are important members of the campus community and can use international students and academic services to support international students with questions. UA will continue to work with federal authorities in accordance with all immigration laws.”
This post contacts ICE and DHS for additional information regarding the arrest.
Doroudi is one of several international graduate students who have been detained under President Trump's new immigration crackdown.
The president has pledged to deport foreign anti-Israeli protesters in the United States, denounced them for anti-Semitism, supported Hamas, and threatened US foreign policy.
Earlier this month, Columbia University graduate and anti-Israel protester Mahmoud Khalil was taken into custody at ICE for his role in organizing demonstrations at Ivy League Schools in New York City. The Syrian citizen with the green card is being held in Louisiana, but he has not been charged with a crime.
Rumeysa Ozturk, Tufts University Ph.D. Turkish students were taken to ice agents from Boston Street on Wednesday after the Trump administration “ends” student visas with “activities to support Hamas,” the Department of Homeland Security said.
Immigration authorities are also trying to deport 21-year-old Colombian student Yunzeo Chung. He moved from South Korea to the US with his family almost 15 years ago after being arrested earlier this month during an anti-Israel protest a few weeks ago.
