US EditionOU Iranian Studies Professor Detained by ICE for Three Days
Vahid Abedini was detained without explanation while traveling to a conference; his transfer to ICE custody highlights challenges in tracking immigration detainees, experts said.
- On November 22, Vahid Abedini, Farzaneh Family Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma, was detained at Oklahoma City Airport en route to MESA and transferred to ICE custody.
- Amid an intensified enforcement push, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act funds $45 billion to expand ICE detention capacity to nearly 100,000 beds and supports a surge in enforcement staffing.
- VINELink and ICE online detainee locator show Abedini moved from county to ICE custody, and an unnamed friend said Monday his exact location is unclear but he has basic items and contacted the conference hotel.
- A University of Oklahoma spokesperson declined to comment and directed queries to ICE, while Randy Lester of the sheriff's office would not disclose details of Abedini's stay or transfer.
- The episode underscores how ICE detention and transfer practices, with sparse public records, complicate locating individuals and chill younger scholars, Johns Hopkins University professor Vali Nasr said.
18 Articles
18 Articles
ICE Detains Iranian Professor for 3 Days for “Standard Questioning”
An Iranian professor for the University of Oklahoma was released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday after spending three days in detention for what the agency has deemed “standard questioning.” Vahid Abedini is an assistant professor of Iranian Studies for the university. On Saturday, he was on his way to the Middle East Studies Association’s annual meeting, in Washington… Source
Iranian Professor in Oklahoma Released 3 Days After His Detention by ICE
An Iranian professor at the University of Oklahoma has been released from immigration detainment, three days after his weekend arrest at an airport in Oklahoma City, according to a statement he posted online and a colleague at the university. Vahid Abedini, an assistant professor of Iranian studies, was on his way to the annual conference of the Middle East Studies Association in Washington, D.C., on Saturday when he was arrested by Immigration …
OU professor detained by ICE has been released after two days of questioning
"It was a deeply distressing experience, especially seeing those without the support I had," said Vahid Abedini, the Farzaneh Family Assistant Professor of Iranian Studies at the University of Oklahoma.
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- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources are Center
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