PAAIA

Today marks a historic milestone! 🇺🇸✨ PAAIA proudly congratulates Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ/3rd) on her swearing-in as the first Iranian American Democrat elected to Congress. Her dedication to public service inspires us all, and we celebrate this significant achievement for the Iranian American community and our nation. Here's to breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations! 🎉💙

PAAIA continues to stand with the Iranian people in their pursuit of dignity, human rights, and freedom. Read our official statement from February 28th at paaia.org.

Internet shutdowns silence voices. Congress can help change that. Urge your lawmakers to support the FREEDOM Act. 🔗 Link in bio.

The Iranian people are once again bravely protesting for freedom, dignity, and democratic self-determination. The regime’s response has been violence, mass arrests, and internet shutdowns. A new House resolution affirms U.S. support for the Iranian people and condemns this repression—but it needs congressional support. 📣 Take action today. Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to support the Iran Protest Resolution. 🔗 Link in bio to act now.

Freedom cannot wait. Widespread protests erupted across Iran in December 2025 as severe economic hardship, including soaring inflation and a collapsing currency, sparked nationwide demonstrations calling for freedom and democratic change. Security forces have responded with violence, mass detentions, and internet shutdowns aimed at silencing peaceful protesters. PAAIA stands in solidarity with the people of Iran. Take action today: click the link in our bio to support the FREEDOM Act and amplify Iranian voices.

Happy Yalda from the PAAIA team! 🍉✨ As we welcome the Winter Solstice, we celebrate a tradition rooted in resilience, light, and community. May the days ahead bring hope, warmth, and renewal!

We’re grateful to Representatives Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) and Daniel Goldman (D-NY) for signing on as cosponsors of the bipartisan Temporary Family Visitation Act. Their support strengthens ongoing efforts to create a new visa category that would allow close relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to visit for important family occasions, helping families stay connected. Click the link in our bio to learn more and take action.

Happy Holidays from all of us at PAAIA. ✨ We are grateful for our community’s continued support and engagement, and we extend our warmest wishes for a happy, warm, and meaningful holiday season.

The Temporary Family Visitation Act (TFVA) has officially been reintroduced in the House and Senate! This bipartisan legislation is led by Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK) in the House and Rand Paul (R-KY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in the Senate to create a new visa category that allows the family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to visit temporarily for important life events. You can take action today by using the link in our bio to contact your Members of Congress and urge them to support the TFVA. Let families visit.

We are grateful to Rep. Dave Min, Rep. Claudia Tenney, Sen. Jacky Rosen, and Sen. Dave McCormick for championing the bipartisan FREEDOM Act and taking meaningful steps to advance internet freedom in Iran. Their leadership reflects a strong, bipartisan commitment to supporting access to open information and standing with the Iranian people. Click the link in our bio to learn more and take action.

Congress has introduced the bipartisan FREEDOM Act — legislation that advances internet freedom in Iran by requiring a full review of emerging technologies like direct-to-cell satellite communication. Contact your Members of Congress in support of the FREEDOM Act by clicking the link in our bio. 🔗

This Giving Tuesday, we’re deeply grateful for the support that has enabled PAAIA’s Civic Leadership Program to become a national pathway for Iranian American public servants. 💙 Thanks to donors like you, CLP now reaches young leaders across all of our flagship initiatives—empowering students, early-career professionals, and alumni to enhance their professional toolkit, deepen their civic identity, build community, and take real steps toward public service careers. To donate, visit the link in our bio!

PAAIA’s 2025 National Public Opinion Survey is here. For over a decade, our surveys have captured the experiences, priorities, and challenges of Iranian Americans—directly from our community. This year’s findings shed light on everything from communication barriers and family visa obstacles to discrimination, U.S.–Iran policy views, and hopes for Iran’s future. PAAIA uses this data to shape advocacy, guide policy conversations, and ensure leaders across the country have accurate, evidence-based insight into what matters most to Iranian Americans. Read the 2025 National Public Opinion Survey by visiting the link in our bio!

PAAIA Celebrates a Historic Appointment ✔ We’re proud to announce the appointment of A. Ashley Tabaddor as a Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court — a remarkable achievement that reflects her dedication to public service and the growing impact of the Iranian American community in the justice system. Judge Tabaddor’s distinguished career includes serving as Chief Counsel for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and over 15 years as an Immigration Judge, where she also served as President of the National Association of Immigration Judges. Join us in celebrating this historic moment and learn more about Judge Tabaddor by clicking the link in our bio! 🔗

🚨 Applications Now Open! 🚨 Join us in Washington, DC, for the Civic Leaders Summit 2026 - a week-long immersive experience (July 12–18) designed to inspire and empower young Iranian Americans to become the next generation of civic leaders. ✔️ Meet with elected officials, policy experts, & community leaders ✔️ Gain hands-on experience in civic engagement & leadership ✔️ Connect with motivated peers from across the country 📍 Eligibility: Open to current high school students passionate about leadership, civic engagement, and public service. 🔗Learn more and apply on our website! iacivicleaders.org

🚨 Know Your Rights: Immigration & Civil Liberties Webinar 🚨 PAAIA is honored to be joined by representatives from the Iranian American Bar Association, PARS Equality Center, and the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund for an exclusive webinar with leading immigration law experts and attorneys as we break down immigrant rights at the border and the risks of protesting as immigrants. 📅 Date: September 9, 2025 🕕 Time: 6:30 PM EST 🔗 Register: Link in bio Now, it is more important than ever to understand your rights and protect your civil liberties. Stay informed and share this important discussion with your community!

I loved hanging out with the @paaia Iranian American Civic Leadership Program to chat about leadership, education, and their Iranian-American identity. As the youngest woman in Congress and the only Iranian-American Democrat, one of the best parts of my job is talking to the next generation of leaders and showing them that they can be anything they want to be.

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with Iranian students participating in the @PAAIA Civic Leadership Program. It was wonderful to hear from these future leaders about what matters most to them and talk about how we can best support the Iranian community.

🎉 Meet our 2025 Ansari Fellows! We're proud to support Farid Hadj and Niki Sotoodeh as they pursue their passions for public service this summer. The Ansari Fellowship empowers Iranian American students through hands-on experience, mentorship, and a growing civic network. #AnsariFellowship #IranianAmerican #PublicService

🎆Ahead of Independence Day, we had the honor of sitting down with Rear Admiral Kavon Hakimzadeh to talk about civic engagement, perfectionism in Iranian American culture, and what it means to celebrate freedom. We’re grateful for his insight and service, as well as for taking the time to reflect with us on the values that unite all Americans. The full interview will be available on our website tomorrow—stay tuned!