OU College of International Studies Professor Arrested by ICE
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent reportedly arrested an OU professor at Will Rogers International Airport on Saturday. The professor, Vahid Abedini, an Iranian Studies professor at the University of Oklahoma's Boren College of International Studies, was en route to attend the Middle East Studies Association in Washington, D.C.
According to a social media post by Joshua Landis, an OU professor and colleague of Abedini, Abedini has an H-1B visa, which is given to immigrants temporarily employed in specialty occupations or services of exceptional merit and abilities. Landis expressed concern over Abedini's detention, stating that he is following all the laws and the university has been diligent in its legal processes.
Abedini's legal situation is complex. He earned his doctorate in political science from Florida International University and has served as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Arkansas. His expertise lies in elite politics, development, technology, and foreign policy, with a focus on the Middle East and Iran. He is currently teaching two classes: The Global Politics of Oil and Political Economy of Development, and is scheduled to teach Elite Politics in Iran in the spring of 2026.
Landis emphasized the university's commitment to following the law and expressed hope for Abedini's swift release. He also mentioned that Abedini is working with a lawyer to resolve the situation, but the timeline for a court hearing is uncertain.
This incident comes amidst a broader context of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Since President Donald Trump took office, he has been vocal about his goal to increase immigration enforcement and border security, including the mass deportation of immigrants lacking permanent legal status. Congress has allocated significant funding for ICE's immigration enforcement agenda, including detention centers, personnel, and border wall construction.
The Trump administration has also revoked visas of international students across the country, affecting schools like Harvard University, Stanford University, and Ohio State University. In Oklahoma, deportations have increased by 70% since January, with 1,994 people arrested and booked into local detention centers as of July 28. The situation remains fluid, and the future of Abedini's legal status is uncertain.
