by Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
March 28, 2025

Federal immigration officials have moved an an University of Alabama graduate student to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Jena, Louisiana.

An attorney for Alireza Doroudi confirmed Friday afternoon after the ICE detainee locator listed where he was detained. For several days, the detainee locator only stated he was “in ICE custody” but did not list any location. The facility in Jena is holding several international students targeted by federal authorities.

David Rozas, Doroudi’s attorney, disputed claims by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that his client posed a national security concern.

Doroudi, an Iranian national pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering, was taken into custody by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit on Tuesday around 3 a.m., Rozas said in a statement sent on Friday. Immigration authorities cited the U.S. State Department’s revocation of Doroudi’s student visa as the reason for his arrest.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Doroudi “posed significant national security concerns.” The spokesperson declined to provide further details about what the concerns were, saying “That is all we are able to share at this time.”

Rozas challenged that characterization, saying he was unaware “of any allegations concerning significant national security issues.”

“He has not been arrested for any crime, nor has he participated in any anti-government protests,” the statement from Rozas said. “He is legally present in the U.S., pursuing his American dream by working towards his doctorate in mechanical engineering.”

Rozas added that Doroudi’s student visa was still active and that he was in the early stages of applying for permanent residency as a researcher.

Student organizers from the Students for Justice in Palestine, a student organization at UA, said Thursday that Doroudi had no involvement in recent pro-Palestine protests at the university or with the organization.

Doroudi’s fiancé, Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani, started a GoFundMe to help cover his legal expenses, garnering over $21,000 in about a day. She said in a LinkedIn post that Doroudi’s is set to defend his dissertation next academic year and has been “fully engaged” in academic work and research projects in the department.

“His dedication and achievements have earned him recognition in his field and led to his selection to apply for permanent residency,” she wrote in a post.

The University of Alabama has not provided further details about the situation. Spokesperson Alex House did not respond to messages Friday after initially stating that the university was cooperating with immigration authorities. House did not address whether the university was offering Doroudi any assistance.

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

The post University of Alabama student detained by ICE moved to Louisiana appeared first on alabamareflector.com

SUMMARY: Despite a 20% population growth over the past five years, Huntsville’s crime rate has significantly decreased, according to the Huntsville Police Department (HPD). Major crimes have dropped by 26%, and violent crimes have decreased by 39%. HPD credits strong community engagement and public cooperation for this positive trend. While drug crimes, particularly related to fentanyl and methamphetamine, remain a challenge, new technologies, faster officer response times, and collaboration with other agencies have contributed to the reduction in crime. HPD emphasizes the vital role of the community in improving safety and reducing crime rates.

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SUMMARY: GE Vernova celebrated the opening of a new customer experience center at its Pensacola Factory, which manufactures key components for onshore wind turbines. The facility, the largest of its kind globally, is critical in meeting growing demands for renewable energy. It is currently producing turbines for a massive wind farm in New Mexico and additional projects in Texas. GE Vernova has invested $70 million since 2023 to expand the facility, aiming to boost electricity production. With over 600 employees, including veterans, the company plans to further grow, potentially reaching 1,000 workers as it continues to support electrification and decarbonization efforts.

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place Thursday for a new customer experience center at GE Vernova’s Pensacola factory.
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