UA Doctoral Student Detained by ICE Reportedly Jailed Nearby

Workers at the Pickens County Jail gave conflicting answers and then directed all questions to federal officials when asked if they are currently detaining an Iranian University of Alabama doctoral student who was arrested by federal immigration officials earlier this week.

As the Thread reported yesterday, the student is Alireza Doroudi, an engineering student from Iran who began seeking his doctoral degree here in early 2023.

According to a group chat obtained by the student newspaper the Crimson White, Doroudi's student visa was revoked six months after it was issued, but he was also reportedly assured this was not unusual and would not be a problem as long as he was a student.

"[The International Student & Scholar Services] replied with confidence, stating that his case was not unusual or problematic and that he could remain in the U.S. legally as long as he maintained his student status," the messages in the group thread stated.

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The University did confirm on Wednesday afternoon that one of their doctoral students was detained off campus by ICE agents Tuesday, but declined to say much more, citing privacy laws.

Spokespeople for UA have not responded to additional questions posed Thursday about whether other students are in the same situation as Doroudi and potentially subject to arrest and detention.

Another cause for concern has been simply locating Doroudi. An ICE website confirms he is in their custody but does not list a facility where he is being kept, as is standard on their site.

On Thursday, Drew Taylor at CBS 42 first reported that Doroudi is being jailed in Pickens County, where they are holding him until other federal agents can transport him elsewhere.

A website for the jail features an inmate roster, but Doroudi is not listed on it.

A call from the Tuscaloosa Thread produced conflicting answers - a woman who answered the jail switchboard said they were holding the student but transferred the call to a jail supervisor when asked if the Pickens County Sheriff's Office had further comment.

The Jail Supervisor then told the Thread he had been instructed by ICE to say nothing about the case and direct questions to them. He repeatedly declined to even confirm that they are holding Doroudi, even though another jail employee had already said they were.

The supervisor provided a phone number for the ICE offices in Birmingham, Alabama. A call to that number rang for three minutes before it was terminated without being answered.