University Of Alabama Student Detained By Federal Immigration Agents

The University of Alabama on Wednesday confirmed that one of its doctoral students has been arrested off-campus by federal immigration authorities.

While the university has not identified the name of the student, records by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement show Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian citizen whose LinkedIn profile lists he is pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama, is in the agency’s custody.

It’s unclear what led authorities to detain Doroudi, whose precise location is not listed on the ICE website.

The university said it will “continue to follow all immigration laws and cooperate with federal authorities,” according to a statement shared with The Crimson White, the university’s student newspaper, which was first to report on the story.

“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, a spokesperson for the university.

Doroudi’s arrest appears to follow an alarming pattern by President Donald Trump’s administration of targeting noncitizen university students.

Tufts University graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national, was captured this week by ICE agents near her home while she was on her way to break her Ramadan fast with friends, her lawyer said.

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The Department of Homeland Security accused Ozturk of taking part in pro-Hamas activities, which it considered “grounds for visa issuance to be terminated.” The student was previously targeted by a pro-Israel group over an op-ed Ozturk co-authored last year, urging Tufts’ president to “acknowledge the Palestinian genocide.”

Earlier this month, authorities detained Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who is married to a U.S. citizen, over his prominent role in pro-Palestinian protests on campus last spring. Trump labelled Khalil “a Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student.”

“This is the first arrest of many to come,” Trump said at the time.