Lawyers for the Department of Homeland Security told a judge on Monday they are currently not able to provide evidence showing Alireza Doroudi is a national security concern.
Doroudi, a University of Alabama doctoral student originally from Iran, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at his Tuscaloosa apartment around 3 a.m. on March 25.
He was first held at the Pickens County Jail and then transferred to federal custody in Jena, La.
Doroudi appeared in court in a blue government issued jump suit. He did not speak except to answer when the judge asked his name, if he spoke English -- though his primary language is Farsi -- and to acknowledge that he had his attorney present.
Following his arrest, the Department of Homeland Security put out at a statement alleging that Doroudi was a “national security” concern.
“ICE HSI made this arrest in accordance with the State Department’s revocation of Doroudi’s student visa. This individual posed significant national security concerns,” a DHS spokesperson has previously said.
In a bond hearing on Monday, immigration Judge Maithe González asked if the department had any evidence to support their claim and an attorney responding saying, “only what was in the article.”
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Doroudi’s attorney, David Rozas, said in a previous statement to AL.com 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.”
During Monday’s hearing, Rozas added that Doroudi’s student visa was still active and therefore he could still remain in the country as a student even if his F-1 visa was revoked.
According to ICE’s website, an individual can, “stay in the United States on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status.”
Rozas added that a teacher from the University of Alabama was prepared to testify to Doroudi’s legal status during the hearing.
However, González ordered both Rozas and DHS to provide additional evidence for their arguments by Wednesday at 4 p.m.
González set another hearing on the matter for Thursday at 3 p.m.
Sama Bajgani, Doroudi’s fiancée, previously posted on Facebook how the “traumatizing” arrest has impacted both of their lives and “pushed her past her limits.”
“These past few days have been some of the hardest and most overwhelming I’ve ever experienced,” Bajgani wrote in an April 7 post.
“I’ve spent countless hours on the phone with Alireza, trying to make sure he has everything he needs and that he feels heard and understood.”