Iranian university students aspiring to study in the United States express deep frustration as their academic ambitions are thwarted by President Donald Trump’s visa ban, which impacts individuals from their country.
One affected student, Mohamad Enayati, a 28-year-old civil engineering major, shared his experience of navigating the challenging visa process. He has faced numerous rejections, causing stress to his family and a disconnection from friends throughout his lengthy pursuit of a U.S. education. Enayati’s hopes for a Ph.D. in the United States now hang in the balance, further complicated by escalating tensions following recent U.S. military actions against Iran.
“My parents are really hurt to see me after what I’ve been through,” Enayati said. “If that doesn’t happen after all I’ve struggled, I really can’t imagine.”
Hadis Abbasian, an Iranian cancer researcher awaiting her visa, voiced similar sentiments, arguing that the blanket ban unfairly stigmatizes Iranians, equating them with their government. “We cannot be punished because of the place that we came from, the place that we were born,” Abbasian noted. “It wasn’t our choice.”
In the wake of the U.S. strikes against key Iranian nuclear facilities, which followed a series of geopolitical tensions including Israeli military actions, the situation for students like Enayati and Abbasian has only worsened. The U.S. military’s recent involvement escalates the atmosphere of uncertainty for Iranian citizens, particularly those seeking educational opportunities abroad.
The State Department responded by highlighting limited exceptions to the visa ban, which accommodates specific cases such as religious minorities facing persecution and participants in certain sporting events. A spokesperson emphasized the U.S. commitment to national security while justifying the restrictions.
In the context of these developments, the U.S. government emphasizes that Iran’s designation as a “state sponsor of terrorism” leads to heightened scrutiny. The proclamation issued recently by President Trump included Iran among twelve countries whose nationals face travel restrictions, citing security concerns and non-cooperation with U.S. efforts to identify potential risks.
Enayati, who has already made significant investments of time and money in his visa application process, has nearly given up hope of achieving his academic goals. After initiating the visa process earlier this year and encountering multiple rejections, his last application remains in administrative limbo at the U.S. Embassy for over a year.
“The Trump travel ban came and it ruined everything,” he lamented. “I really want to experience the American dream.”
With 12,430 Iranian students enrolled in U.S. universities as of the 2023-24 academic year, predominantly in STEM fields such as engineering, the restrictions have profound implications for the future of these students and their contributions to society.
Amy Malek, chair of the Iranian and Persian Gulf studies program at Oklahoma State University, emphasizes the historical challenges Iranian students face in obtaining visas. Drawing parallels to the late 1970s when they constituted a large proportion of international students in the U.S., she pointed out that geopolitical tensions have resulted in increased scrutiny and lengthy processing times for Iranian applicants.
Under the Obama administration, a law was enacted to deny visas to Iranian students whose studies could potentially benefit the energy or nuclear sectors in Iran. Additionally, the first Trump administration imposed travel bans on Iran alongside several other Muslim-majority nations. While the ban was lifted under President Joe Biden in 2021, the current restrictions signify a step back for many Iran-based students.
Current waiting periods for Iranian students to process their visas can extend for months or even years, significantly longer than applicants from other countries, who typically wait days to weeks. Malek stresses that many of these aspiring students are not politically active nor do they support the Iranian government, yet they continue to be impacted by the prevailing misconceptions.
“There is a long-term misunderstanding, or perhaps unwillingness, to see Iranian citizens as separate from their government,” Malek stated. “The U.S. government may miss opportunities to support change in Iran by undermining the education of its citizens.”
Abbasian has set her sights on the University of Missouri, where she intended to start her academic journey this year. Like Enayati, she views her studies as strictly academic, not political. However, the ongoing conflict and subsequent visa ban threaten to extinguish the hopes of many students who are eager to contribute to the global scientific community but lack the resources or time to circumvent the indefinite ban.
As deadlines loom, Abbasian is determined to persist in her goals despite the obstacles. “No matter how long this takes, someday I will be in the U.S.,” she asserted. “I will start my dreams. I believe in my dreams.”
The student body from Iran includes individuals with aspirations that may contribute to advancements in various scientific fields, yet their futures are in jeopardy due to the current political landscape. Students like Enayati and Abbasian face a daunting task as they navigate the implications of the visa ban amid rising tensions.
Their plight highlights the broader issue of educational access for young Iranians wishing to study in the United States. As the conflict escalates and travel restrictions complicate their academic pursuits, many are left searching for alternatives, potentially hindering the scientific progress and collaboration these students could foster in the future.
Ultimately, the visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration not only affect individual aspirations but may also have lasting consequences on the U.S.-Iran relationship, educational exchange, and the opportunities available to Iranian students in the global academic arena.
The stories of Enayati and Abbasian serve as sobering reminders of the far-reaching impact of policies on the aspirations and dreams of young individuals caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions, underscoring the need for deeper understanding and support for those pursuing education and peace across borders.
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