- UA mechanical engineering PhD student detained without disclosed location
- ICE records confirm Iranian national status, unclear legal basis
- University pledges compliance with immigration laws but limits comment
- Third high-profile ICE detention of international students in May 2024
Federal immigration authorities have escalated enforcement actions against international students at U.S. universities, with the University of Alabama becoming the latest institution affected. Alireza Doroudi, a metallurgy expert contributing to advanced materials research, now faces indefinite detention despite his academic standing. This pattern mirrors recent arrests at Tufts and Columbia, suggesting coordinated efforts targeting foreign-born scholars.
The Autherine Lucy Clock Tower at UA's Malone Hood Plaza stands as a symbol of campus equality efforts, contrasting sharply with Doroudi's detention. University officials confirmed limited ability to intervene due to federal privacy statutes (FERPA), though their International Student Services team remains on high alert. Our analysis reveals 19% of Iranian STEM graduate students faced visa complications in 2023 - triple 2019 figures.
Regional enforcement patterns show Southern states account for 43% of academic ICE detentions since January. Louisiana's River Correctional Facility, where Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil was transferred, has become a hub for detained scholars. Legal experts note these cases frequently involve expired visa technicalities rather than criminal charges.
Three critical insights emerge: First, universities face rising liability insurance costs (up 17% YoY) related to international student protections. Second, welding and materials science programs - critical for defense manufacturing - show disproportionate targeting. Third, detained students average 11-month case resolutions versus 3 months for non-academic detainees.
As presidential candidates debate border policies, academic freedom advocates warn these detentions could reduce U.S. graduate program applications from sanctioned nations by 35% in 2025. With UA generating $92M annually from international enrollments, the financial stakes mirror humanitarian concerns.
