Abedini was detained while boarding a flight to an academic conference in Washington D.C.

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Abedini was traveling to the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) annual meeting, a major academic conference where he was scheduled to present research on Iranian political history. His H-1B visa explicitly permits work-related travel, including conferences. University of Oklahoma confirmed the trip was official university business. MESA issued a statement condemning the detention, noting Abedini had attended previous conferences without incident. Academic travel is protected activity under H-1B terms—visa holders can travel domestically and internationally for work purposes. The detention occurred despite Abedini carrying university authorization letters and conference registration proof. ICE agents either ignored his documentation or detained him based on nationality rather than visa status.

Abedini was detained while boarding a flight to an academic conference in Washington D.C.

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