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ICE detains University of Oklahoma professor despite valid H-1B work visa

Professor detained while boarding flight to academic conference, raising questions about targeting of Iranian-born scholars·November 26, 2025

ICE detained Vahid Abedini, the Farzaneh Family Assistant Professor of Iranian Studies at the University of Oklahoma, for three days starting Nov. 22, 2025, at Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City. Abedini was boarding a flight to Washington, DC to attend the Middle East Studies Association conference when ICE stopped him. He holds a valid H-1B visa (specialty occupation work visa) and started at OU in Jun. 2025 after transferring from a visiting position at the University of Arkansas. DHS released him Nov. 25 after he appeared in the ICE Online Detainee Locator System, stating only, "This Iranian national was detained for standard questioning. He's been released." Abedini was born in Iran and focuses his research on elite politics, development, technology, and foreign policy in the Middle East and Iran.

Key facts

Dr. Vahid Abedini, Farzaneh Family Assistant Professor of Iranian Studies at University of Oklahoma, was detained on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, while boarding a flight to Washington, D.C. He was traveling to attend the Middle East Studies Association annual conference where he was scheduled to present. He holds a valid H-1B visa, a specialty occupation visa granted to individuals in fields like higher education.

Abedini was first held at the Logan County Sheriff Office, then transferred to ICE custody on Monday, Nov. 24. He remained in ICE custody for three days. He was released on Monday evening, Nov. 24-25, after faculty members and state representatives publicly raised concerns and a "bevy of lawyers" worked on his case.

The Department of Homeland Security said Abedini was detained for "standard questioning" but provided no details about why he was targeted. Abedini was not given a clear explanation for his detention. His location was not disclosed to his colleagues while in custody, which is common practice that critics say keeps families and lawyers in the dark.

Joshua Landis, co-director of the OU Center for Middle East Studies, said Abedini "did everything right" from maintaining legal status to building a strong academic record. The university followed hiring procedures with great care. Abedini had impeccable paperwork and was traveling on official university business to an academic conference.

The Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee requirement in Sep. 2025 for employers—including colleges—seeking to hire foreign workers on H-1B visas. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in Jul., allocates $45 billion to expand ICE detention capacity to nearly 100,000 beds, $14 billion for removal operations, and $8 billion to hire 10,000 new deportation officers.

Immigration attorney Ian Wagreich said detaining someone with pending visa status is "disturbing" and "definitely not typical." Dr. Vali Nasr from Johns Hopkins University called the incident "chilling," warning that lack of discernment in enforcement could deter international academics from working or studying in the United States.

The Middle East Studies Association Board issued a statement saying they were "deeply concerned" about Abedini detention circumstances. Academic colleagues in Iran studies and political science communities helped secure his release. Abedini said he was relieved to be released but troubled by seeing others detained who did not have the support he received.