Oklahoma Professor Detained by ICE Despite Valid Visa: 'Wrongful' Arrest Sparks Concerns
Image Source: Internet
A University of Oklahoma professor of Iranian studies, Vahid Abedini, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on November 22, despite holding a valid H-1B visa. Abedini, an instructor at the University of Oklahoma's Boren College of International Studies, was reportedly preparing to attend an academic conference in Washington, D.C. The professor's arrest has raised concerns about ICE's tactics and the Trump administration's plans to ramp up immigration enforcement. President Trump had campaigned on mass deportations, and his administration has been under scrutiny for allegations of misconduct and aggressive tactics. According to Abedini's colleague, Joshua Landis, the professor has been wrongfully detained due to his valid visa. ICE updated its online detainee locator to include Abedini, stating that he is in custody, but his exact location remains undisclosed. The detention comes as ICE is gearing up for a significant escalation in enforcement operations, with the deployment of newly trained agents across the country. The Trump administration has allocated $8 billion to hire 10,000 new deportation officers, $14 billion for transportation and removal operations, and $45 billion to expand ICE's detention capacity to almost 100,000 beds. Abedini's friend reported that he is in good spirits and has access to basic necessities. However, the professor's detention has sparked concerns about the Trump administration's immigration policies and the treatment of individuals with valid visas.
