Memo: Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties – 4 years after Iranian Detainments
Summary of Events In the early morning of January 5, 2020, reports began to emerge that dozens of individuals of Iranian heritage – including U.S. citizens – were being detained upon reentry into the United States at the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine, Washington. Coming shortly after the U.S. assassination of Iranian general Qassem […]
Press Statement: Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties – 4 years after Iranian Detainments
4 years ago today, following the Trump-led assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, NIAC called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to investigate its discriminatory targeting and detaining of individuals based on their Iranian heritage, specifically after reports of scores of detentions at the U.S. border in Blaine, Washington. The DHS Office of Civil Rights […]
NIAC Calls on Slack to End Over-Compliance and End Discrimination Against Iranian Nationals
In a new letter, the National Iranian-American Council, the leading voice for the Iranian-American community, is demanding that the technology company Slack stop its over-compliance with U.S. sanctions against Iran and end discrimination against Iranian nationals.
NIAC Sends Letter to Slack on Account Closures
We’ve been hearing from members of our community that Slack accounts have been abruptly closed under the guise of sanctions enforcement. We’re looking into getting answers on these unfair closures.
High-Skilled Immigrants Act Would Hurt Muslim Immigrants, Foreign Nationals from Smaller Countries
According to the National Iranian American Council, the amendment would eliminate per-country limits for employment-based permanent residency and produce serious strains for individuals from smaller countries, especially Iranians and other nationals already subject to the Muslim travel ban.
NIAC Concerned by edX Move to Bar Iranians from Coursework
In response to messages received from its members, NIAC sent a letter today to edX, an online educational platform expressing concern regarding its decision to terminate or reject the participation of students with Iranian background.
Why Black Lives Matter Is Important to Iranian Americans
A letter is circulating among minority communities, seeking to explain why the Black Lives Matter movement is important to many first- and second-generation immigrants, many of whom are not Black themselves. It seeks to show that the roots of problems affecting Black communities are the same roots of many of our own troubles.
NIAC believes it important to share this within our own community — as many other immigrant and minority communities are sharing with themselves — in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. As Iranian Americans face our own issues and struggle to repeal the discriminatory laws that affect us, we must also look to those who have carried the weight of minority issues in this country for centuries and do our part to help.
VISA Act Imposes Obstacles Against Iranian Americans
NIAC Action opposes the Visa Integrity and Security Act (“VISA Act”) as currently drafted and urges Members of Congress to oppose the current form of the legislation.
FAQs on the Visa Waiver Restrictions (May 12, 2016)
The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act (H.R. 158) prohibits citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program from visiting the United States under the program if they are dual nationals of or have recently traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria.
Top Tech CEO’s Call for Repeal of Visa Discrimination
35 of our nation’s leading tech entrepreneurs – including founders and leaders of companies like Twitter, Dropbox, Pinterest and PayPal – have warned that recently-passed changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) that discriminate on the basis of national heritage are bad for business and bad for America. The letter was organized by NIAC supporter and angel investor, Ali Partovi, and NIAC Action helped to share the letter on Capitol Hill.
FAQ on Visa Waiver Changes Passed in Omnibus Bill (January 6, 2016)
Despite numerous objections, Congress included discriminatory provisions from a bill that passed the House of Representatives (H.R. 158) to bar dual nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran and Sudan as well as foreigners who have traveled to those countries since March 2011 from eligibility in the visa waiver program.
FAQ on Visa Waiver Reform Language in the Omnibus (December 18, 2015)
Despite numerous objections, the omnibus incorporated discriminatory provisions from a bill that passed the House of Representatives (H.R. 158) that would bar dual nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran and Sudan as well as foreigners who have traveled to those countries since March 2011 from eligibility in the visa waiver program.