The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Speaker of the House
United States House of Representatives

Dear Mister Speaker, 

We, the undersigned, represent a group of individuals who have been directly affected by the unjust ban imposed on Iranian conscripts who had no choice but to attend their mandatory military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This ban, implemented by the United States, unfairly impacts these individuals, the majority of whom are involved in office work during their military service and have no involvement in military actions.

The designation of the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in April 2019 by President Donald Trump has resulted in severe immigration repercussions for Iranian males who completed their mandatory military service with the IRGC. The ban is retroactive, rendering even those who served prior to the 2019 designation subject to the terrorist bar, making them ineligible for any US visas. We kindly recommend lifting the retroactive aspect of this law, considering that prior to its enactment, the IRGC was not designated as a terrorist organization. The conscripts have already completed their military service within one of the Iranian armed forces, not within a terrorist organization.

It is important to emphasize that all Iranian men are required to serve 18 to 24 months in the military upon reaching the age of 18. The majority, if not all, of the IRGC's active personnel are conscripts who were compelled into military service without any control over whether they served in the IRGC, or The Islamic Republic of Iran Army, or The Police. These conscripts primarily engage in office work and administrative tasks, having no involvement in military actions that could impact US interests. Furthermore, it is important to mention that conscripts within the IRGC, like in other branches of the Iranian military, leave the organization soon after they complete their mandatory service. They transition back to civilian life, emphasizing the differentiation between conscripts and the IRGC'

The wrongful actions carried out by the IRGC are primarily executed by its senior members and employees. On the other hand, conscripts, who are under the authority of the IRGC, are not classified as employees and do not participate in terrorist or militia activities. Therefore, it is entirely unjust to group conscripts and terrorists into the same category. Additionally, it is important to note that if military service were not mandatory, the majority, if not all, Iranians would not even consider enlisting. Only individuals closely aligned with the ideology of the IRGC would be willing to work for them.

I it is worth mentioning that the IRGC possesses the ability to falsify military discharge documents for their employees if they intend to carry out covert operations. Consequently, individuals holding regular military discharge cards are ordinary Iranians and should not be implicated due to the actions of the IRGC.

We would like to bring your attention to a decision made by Canada, the country that shares the longest border with the United States, regarding the very same issue. Canada has taken measures to prohibit over 10,000 officers and senior members of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) from entering the country. These individuals have been subjected to lifetime bans and additional sanctions. However, it is important to note that Canada has made a clear distinction between the decision makers within the IRGC and its conscripts. As a result, conscripts are exempt from the aforementioned law.

This unjust ban not only infringes upon the principles of fairness and justice, but it also violates the fundamental human rights of those affected. It denies them the right to choose where to study, immigrate to, or have family reunions, severely limiting their opportunities and aspirations. Herefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request your immediate attention and action to address this unjust ban. We kindly urge you to:

1- Reevaluate and amend the ban, taking into consideration the conscripts' lack of choice and control over their military service assignment, as well as their non-involvement in military actions with any nature impacting US interests.

2- Support legislative measures that recognize the distinction between conscripts involved in office work and individuals involved in military actions, ensuring fair treatment and opportunities for those who served under duress and had no control over their assignments.

3- Engage in dialogue with relevant committees and colleagues to raise awareness about the unjust consequences of this ban and advocate for a more nuanced approach to immigration policies, particularly regarding conscripts involved in office work and administrative roles.

4- Encourage comprehensive immigration reform that upholds fairness, respects human rights, and provides opportunities for individuals affected by this ban to pursue their education, careers, and family connections without unwarranted obstacles.

By addressing this issue, you can play a pivotal role in rectifying this unjust situation, restoring fairness and justice, and upholding the principles of human rights and equality.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We greatly appreciate your commitment to serving the interests of the American people and your dedication to upholding justice and fairness.