Two Iranian-born LSU Ph.D. students were released from ICE detention after a federal judge intervened, following weeks of being held under questionable and deceptive circumstances. Despite having valid legal status to study in the U.S., they were arrested shortly after U.S. military action in Iran, raising serious concerns about politically motivated targeting.

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, which helped lead legal efforts for the couple, emphasized the dangerous precedent of targeting students based on nationality rather than evidence. Sarah Gillman, our Director of Strategic U.S. Litigation, underscored that the arrests were both unlawful and discriminatory. Their case reflects a broader crackdown on international students under the Trump administration, where shifting immigration policies have put countless academic futures at risk.

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