A University of Oklahoma professor with a valid H-1B visa was detained by immigration authorities over the weekend, despite having no apparent reason for such action. Vahid Abedini, a professor of Iranian studies, was stopped at an airport while on his way to an academic conference in Washington, D.C., and subsequently arrested.
According to a colleague, Joshua Landis, Abedini had been wrongfully detained due to his valid H-1B visa, which grants non-immigrant work visas to individuals in specialty occupations, including higher education faculty. Landis described Abedini as "pro-America" and said he is a victim of heavy-handed tactics by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Abedini's case is being examined by a team of lawyers, but the exact circumstances surrounding his detention are still unclear. His whereabouts have not been disclosed by ICE.
This incident has sparked concerns about the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly in light of the recent funding legislation that provides $45 billion for expanding ICE's detention capacity and hiring 10,000 new deportation officers.
Critics argue that such actions are part of a broader effort to intimidate and punish immigrants, often without evidence of wrongdoing. Landis described Abedini's situation as "horrific" and said it highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in ICE operations.
As the administration ramps up immigration enforcement, advocates and lawmakers are calling for reforms aimed at protecting the rights of immigrants and addressing concerns about misconduct and human rights abuses within ICE.
According to a colleague, Joshua Landis, Abedini had been wrongfully detained due to his valid H-1B visa, which grants non-immigrant work visas to individuals in specialty occupations, including higher education faculty. Landis described Abedini as "pro-America" and said he is a victim of heavy-handed tactics by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Abedini's case is being examined by a team of lawyers, but the exact circumstances surrounding his detention are still unclear. His whereabouts have not been disclosed by ICE.
This incident has sparked concerns about the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly in light of the recent funding legislation that provides $45 billion for expanding ICE's detention capacity and hiring 10,000 new deportation officers.
Critics argue that such actions are part of a broader effort to intimidate and punish immigrants, often without evidence of wrongdoing. Landis described Abedini's situation as "horrific" and said it highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in ICE operations.
As the administration ramps up immigration enforcement, advocates and lawmakers are calling for reforms aimed at protecting the rights of immigrants and addressing concerns about misconduct and human rights abuses within ICE.
I cant even believe this is happening to some1 who has done nothing wrong! Vahid Abedini sounds like an amazing person, just trying to share his knowledge with others and now he's stuck in limbo because of some overzealous immigration agents. It's not right that ppl are being detained without a clear reason! 
The whole situation is really freaking me out, especially when you consider the new funding for ICE and all its implications. I think we need to take a step back and reevaluate our approach to immigration policies. We can't just sweep ppl under the rug or punish them without evidence! 
What's next? Detaining students on campus? It's time for some real change! 
anyway, it's another example of how the u.s. immigration system is super messed up rn 
And on top of that, he has a valid H-1B visa, so I don't get why they're treating him like some kind of undocumented immigrant. It's just so unfair! 
That's just messed up. And the fact that Josh Landis is saying Abedini was 'wrongfully detained' because of heavy-handed ICE tactics... I believe him! This is exactly why we need reform and more transparency in our immigration system. We can't just keep treating people like this without consequences. It's time for some real change, folks! 
ICE is getting out of hand! 
this is so messed up! i mean, a professor with a valid visa gets detained just because... nothing? what's going on here? it's like they're trying to send a message or something. and $45 billion for ICE? that's insane! 
we need to be holding people in power accountable for their actions, not giving them free rein to do whatever they want.
. And what's up with this new funding legislation? More detention centers and deportation officers? That just sounds like more trouble 
. We need to do something about this, it's not right to target people just because of their visa status or where they're from... we gotta stand up for the rights of immigrants! 
i mean, what's next? deportin people for just bein from the wrong country? 
it's all so unfair... we gotta stand up 4 our immigrant friends & demand some change! 
I mean, is it because they thought he was going to do something bad or just cause a scene? 
. Wait, no, that's not right... I should be learning about this stuff! 
. I mean, shouldn't they be using that money to help people, not hurt them?
. It feels like they're trying to create this fear and intimidation factor, and it's just not right 
. We need more transparency and accountability, stat! 
. And what about due process? If he did something wrong, how can we even know if it was ICE or him being unfair? 
. I'm all for stricter immigration laws, but not at the expense of people's lives and livelihoods 
. Something needs to change ASAP 
. This is just so frustrating, especially with a valid visa that's supposed to protect them from overreach. I mean, what even are they doing? It sounds like pure paranoia and abuse of power. And for what? So the administration can pad their immigration enforcement numbers? Give me a break 
. And while they're at it, let's get ICE out of our universities and focus on actually solving the issues that matter – like providing quality education to all students, regardless of their immigration status 
a prof getting detained over his valid visa? like what even is going on here?! 
this is some crazy stuff, esp since he's an Iranian studies prof and pro-America... I mean who does that? 
anywayz, Joshua Landis says Abedini was wrongfully detained and all these ICE tactics are super heavy-handed... we need reforms ASAP 
. it's like they're tryin to sweep this under the rug but we shouldn't let 'em 
. we need real reform here, not just more funding for ice 
i mean we all know the trump admin is trying to crack down on immigrants but this is crazy 
