U.S. immigration officials detained a University of Oklahoma professor specializing in Iranian studies on Saturday as he traveled to Washington, D.C., for an academic conference, according to a colleague. The professor, who reportedly held a valid H-1B visa, was stopped despite having clearance to work and travel in the United States, raising concerns within academic circles about increasing scrutiny of foreign scholars.
Now the question raises who is Vahid Abedini.
Who is Vahid Abedini?
Dr. Vahid Abedini, a professor at the University of Oklahoma, was taken into custody on November 22 while preparing to board a flight to Washington, D.C., where he was scheduled to present at a conference hosted by the Middle East Studies Association. The incident was first disclosed by his colleague, Joshua Landis, who shared details on X, expressing concern over the treatment of an academic traveling for scholarly purposes.
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Landis, a fellow professor of Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, said Abedini had all the required documentation and was traveling in an official academic capacity. Landis told, “He has been wrongfully detained because he has a valid H-1B visa – a non-immigrant work visa granted to individuals in ‘specialty occupations,’ including higher education faculty.”
Abedini teaches at the University of Oklahoma’s David L. Boren College of International Studies. So far, the university has not released any public statement regarding his detention or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
On Monday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) added Abedini to its online detainee database, noting that he is in federal custody and identifying his place of birth as Iran. However, the agency has not disclosed his precise location.
A close friend of Abedini told HuffPost that she spoke with him on Monday, confirming that he remains in immigration detention, though his exact whereabouts are unknown. “He seems to be in good spirits,” the friend, who requested anonymity, told HuffPost. She added that Abedini has access to basic necessities, including towels and blankets, while in detention.
Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump has pursued an aggressive immigration agenda, emphasizing the deportation of undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal convictions. His administration has significantly stepped-up enforcement efforts, reflecting the campaign promises made during his run for the presidency.
However, ICE and U.S. Border Patrol are facing increased scrutiny amid reports of alleged misconduct, aggressive enforcement practices, and the detention of individuals legally authorized to remain in the United States.