Iranian students, researchers, and academic professionals who came legally to the United States have now been affected since Dec. 2 by the hold on USCIS benefit applications, putting their legal status and careers at risk.

According to the Institute of International Education, over 10,000 Iranian students study in the United States, making Iran one of the largest sources of international graduate students in STEM fields. These students contribute significantly to American universities, research laboratories, hospitals, engineering firms, and agricultural innovation.

However, Iranian nationals are now experiencing major disruptions across all legal U.S. immigration pathways due to USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0192 (Dec. 2, 2025) and PM-602-0194 (Jan. 1, 2026), which direct USCIS to place a hold on USCIS benefit applications filed by nationals of designated high-risk countries, including Iran.

Affected processes include, but are not limited to:
• Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), including OPT and STEM OPT (Form I-765)
• Employment-based immigrant petitions (Form I-140)
• H-1B work visa petitions (Form I-129) and H-1B extensions
• Adjustment of Status applications (Form I-485)

These administrative barriers are placing the legal status, careers, and futures of thousands of highly skilled individuals at risk.

These students and professionals followed all lawful immigration pathways. They are scientists, physicians, engineers, educators, and researchers who contribute to the United States economy and scientific leadership. They are not affiliated with the Iranian government and should not be punished for the actions of an authoritarian regime.

 
Immediate Safety Concerns for Iranians Abroad

Returning to Iran is not a safe option for many. Recent reports from IranWire indicate that Iranian authorities have issued warnings targeting Iranians living abroad.

Officials associated with Iran’s security establishment, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have warned that Iranians living abroad who are accused of cooperating with foreign governments or engaging in what the regime calls “operational action” could face severe punishment if they return to Iran. These punishments may include arrest, long-term imprisonment, confiscation of property, and even the death penalty.

Such statements create a credible fear among Iranian students and professionals abroad that returning to Iran could expose them to interrogation, detention, or prosecution by Iranian security forces.

For many Iranian students and scholars, this hold now create a dangerous dilemma:

• Leave the United States and risk persecution upon return to Iran
• Or remain in the U.S. while facing immigration uncertainty and potential loss of legal status

This situation represents a serious humanitarian and academic concern. The same humanitarian concern that was recently extended to Iranian women’s soccer players seeking asylum abroad should also apply to Iranian students and scholars in the United States who face credible threats of imprisonment or worse if forced to return to Iran. 

Impact on Universities and the U.S. Workforce
As a university professor, I see firsthand the severe stress and uncertainty this situation is causing. Iranian students are among the most accomplished members of the academic community. Many are enrolled in graduate programs in engineering, medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and data science, fields critical to U.S. innovation and national competitiveness.

Delays in visa and immigration processing are disrupting:

• Graduate research projects
• University laboratories and grant-funded research
• Hospital training programs
• Engineering and technology industries
• Agricultural and environmental research

Education and scientific exchange are pillars of American leadership. Preventing qualified students and researchers from continuing their work harms not only individuals but also U.S. universities, research institutions, and the national workforce.

Supporting the Iranian people should mean protecting their access to education, safety, and opportunity—not isolating them.

What We Are Asking For

We respectfully call on the:

• U.S. Department of State,
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Members of Congress to take immediate action:

1. Resume and Expedite Processing of USCIS Benefit Applications
Resume timely processing of applications for Iranian students, researchers, and academic professionals.

2. Provide Academic and Humanitarian Flexibility
Allow flexibility for:

• OPT and STEM OPT
• Change-of-status applications
• Visa renewals and administrative processing delays

3. Address Employment-Based Immigration Delays
Ensure timely processing for:

• H-1B petitions
• I-140 employment-based green card petitions
• EAD work authorization
• I-485 adjustment-of-status applications

4. Provide Transparent Guidance
Provide clear guidance to universities and affected individuals to prevent unnecessary disruption of education and employment.

5. Protect Civilians from Geopolitical Retaliation
Ensure that innocent students and scholars are not penalized because of geopolitical conflicts beyond their control.

 
Why This Matters Now
Visa and immigration delays are disrupting education and employment for thousands of Iranian students and professionals who are legally present in the United States.

Many of these individuals cannot safely return to Iran because of credible threats of imprisonment or execution from Iranian authorities.

Immediate action is necessary to protect their legal status and allow them to continue contributing to American universities and society.

If the United States stands for human rights, fairness, and opportunity, it must protect students and scholars seeking education and scientific collaboration.

Call to Action
We urge policymakers to take immediate action to protect Iranian students, scholars, and professionals who are contributing to American universities and society.

We call on Members of Congress who have expressed support for the Iranian people to act now.

Protect education.
Protect scientific collaboration.
Protect human lives.

Support the people.
Protect students.
Protect scholars.