Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral student at the University of Alabama, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, escalating concerns about the treatment of international students under the current administration. The detention of the Iranian citizen, known for his studies in mechanical engineering, occurs against the backdrop of heightened enforcement policies targeting foreign nationals in educational institutions.

The University of Alabama confirmed Doroudi's detention on March 26, noting they had learned an unnamed student was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities. Federal privacy laws restrict the university from revealing further specifics. However, records from ICE indicate that Doroudi is being held in an undisclosed facility, and the reasons for his detainment remain unclear. Reports detail that Doroudi entered the U.S. in January 2023 on an F-1 student visa, but his visa was reportedly revoked six months later, putting him in a precarious legal situation.

The increasing incidents of detentions involving international students have drawn significant attention and condemnation. The Trump administration has intensified its scrutiny of noncitizens active in higher education, especially those associated with pro-Palestinian demonstrations. On the same day Doroudi was detained, Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University Ph.D. student, was apprehended under similar charges. Earlier, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, was also singled out for detention. The correlation between these arrests and the students' activism has alarmed many on campus.

In response to Doroudi's situation, the University of Alabama reiterated its commitment to supporting international students, emphasizing their importance to the campus community. Alex House, a spokesman for the university, stated that "International Student and Scholar Services is available to assist international students who have questions," and affirmed that the institution will continue to comply with immigration laws and work with federal authorities.

This pattern of targeting students raises serious concerns about the broader implications for academic freedom and the safety of foreign students in the U.S., as various advocacy groups criticize the government's tactics as heavy-handed and politically charged.

For further details on this developing story, see the reports from Reuters, The Hill, CBS News, Salon, HuffPost, ABC News, and India Times.