Two married Iranian students at Louisiana State University have been released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after being arrested in June. Their lawyer alleges government officials used a “ruse” to detain them.
Lawyers for Pouria Pourhosseinhendabad and Parisa Firouzabadi challenged their detention and accused the government of violating immigration laws and procedures. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana announced their release on Wednesday.
According to court filings, ICE agents “lured” the students from their home by stating they were investigating a hit-and-run the couple had previously reported. However, ICE did not provide or produce a warrant. Days later, ICE alleged Firouzabadi was potentially deportable due to a 2023 visa revocation decision.
Nora Ahmed, legal director for the ACLU of Louisiana, said their release was a “powerful affirmation of immigrants’ rights.”
A federal judge recommended Pourhosseinhendabad’s release on Monday, stating he “demonstrated there is a serious risk he would suffer irreparable harm.” After lawyers filed a request for Firouzabadi’s release on Tuesday, the government agreed to release both individuals.
The couple’s attorneys pointed out their arrest coincided with heightened tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The pair were arrested just hours after the military struck three nuclear enrichment sites in Iran.
Information from NBC News.
