Ahmad Mahmoudi

Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, one of Iran’s top science and engineering institutions, was bombed tonight, and a number of schools reportedly damaged. Founded in 1966 (as Aryamehr University), Sharif is a cornerstone of Iran’s scientific and academic life. Striking and destroying universities and schools is not just an attack on buildings,it is an attack on a country’s future.

In the midst of a catastrophic war and escalating repression in Iran, the Trump Administration is halting immigration processing and legal status pathways for Iranian nationals, including students and professionals already in the United States. Because visa processing and immigration benefit applications are now frozen, many Iranians studying and working here could lose their legal status and be forced to return to a country where they may face serious danger. I’m working on a series of actions to demand immediate protections for Iranians in the U.S., including safeguards for students and others whose lives would be at risk in Iran.

Iranian born founders and entrepreneurs are leading some of the major US companies. We should not prevent more of them from contributing to US economy.