Current Events

When DID...

Anousheh Ansari become an Astronaut? She is as much an astronaut as Sir Richard Branson and he's got 30 times more money and a spaceship that will take many more passengers who have too much dough that they know what to do with (much like Mrs. Ansari) to the space!
Now, obviously she has achieved something that she, herself, and some of us (who are desperately looking elsewhere for something or someone to make us proud of being Iranian, instead of focusing on our own identities)

But there are great many Iranian scientists, researchers, doctors, scholars, entrepreneurs, writers and artists here in this country or all over the world from every walks of life that deserve to be at least collectively recognized! Not to mention those made in Los Angeles half-naked models that thanks to Iranian.com we have come to appreciate getting to know them up close and very personal! *_* 

..

at 53 they can go to ghom and get their phd ala boshkeh.       Maziar

Visa restrictions are recipricol and based on history of return

Visa restrictions on Iranian citizens mirror those that Iran places on US citizens.  US citizens can only visit Iran on a single entry 3 month visa for tourism.

Whereas Egyptian, UAE and Brunai citizens are granted multiple 5 five year visas if not more.

Another factor is how likely are the students to go back.  IN Iran's case, very unlikely- so US officials have to make it harder for these folks to stay. 

Saudi nationals have a 95 % return rate back to their homeland.  SO no worries there.

Also, when you have an Iranian "tokhme sag" who makes up bull shit stories just for political asylum then Iran gets a bad rap because of these "bi pedar wa madarha."

When I was a student, I lived through all these restrictions and worse.  No one helped me out.  I did things through my own efforts.  Why should I support this bill?

So that we get more students who will bullshit about how "bad" it is in Iran.  Forget that, man.

I have more sympathy for Illegal Mexicans getting rounded up even though they were here for 20 years than for any of these spineless kiddos ready to sell their souls for some papers.  Plus, these Latinos are part of my fabric, I know their names, their kids, shared great times and laughs with them.  They were there when I needed them.  Why should I even support this bill, go study in Germany, UK or France- get your degree and head back home.

Nothing is earned without sweat.

...

If the current student visa regulations allows a known dubious character (and I am being kind here) such as Hossein Moussavian (IR's former nuclear negotiator and former ambassador in Germany at the time of the Mykonos & Farokhzad murders and implicated in those amongst other murders according to the documentary "holy crimes") to get a student (yes student) visa to study at Princeton University (at the age of 53), then those regulations need to be tightened.

Seannewyork

I think we agree. Opposing this humanitarian action by NIAC helps no one.

"That would be a very minute percentage of them" seems to be your personal opinion, and I'm happy to socialize and be amused by your personal opinions any time as long as they are presented as such. But as soon as you present a statement as factual--particularly when it could adversely affect the lives of others--sources are in order.  "I have a feeling that would be a very minute percentage of them" would keep the discussion at a cordial entertainment level.

Ari

WHy look at this issue within the frame work of Victims vs Nonvictims? Those are facts. The majority does not need any help when they have an open and shut case, when they are in such demand by US higher education institutions.

Opposing this action? meaning the action of too many restriction on issuing visas? If that is the issue i should be taking action against, then how is my proving that more fair visa regulation for iranian students Creates more victimes!! will be of any help convincing US state department that they should loosen up?

seannewyork

Who's to blame is a separate issue from who can help the situation.

Issue 1: Is Khamenei to blame for antagonizing the US?

Issue 2: Can the US help lessen the impact of the US-Iran conflict on innocent Iranian students.

Note, the word "blame" applies to Khamenei, a dictator. In a democracy only the people have the priviledge of being blamed for failing to act against unfair laws.

unfair laws in usa becasue of khamenei

these laws are in place because of the savages of the unislamic unrepublic leaders of iran.  dont blame to usa, blame the mullahs for these unfair laws.

 it is because of mullah actions why we have to deal with this.

i heard before no one use to have problems with iranians getting visas.

DEATH TO DICTATOR!!!

DEATH TO DICTATOR!!!

last year, i was attending

last year, i was attending a large int'l conference in europe.  twelve different presenters from iran were slated to make presentations.  it was about 3 months after the election and only 2 presenters were able to get permission to leave iran.  one of the 2 presenters towed the regime's line with a more modern and civil face ("although not that the regime is without imperfections!"), and the other knew how to be diplomatic when the topic turned into politics. at any rate, the 10 that did not muster government's security clearance paid a price. it seems that many iranian scholars and researchers are being harrassed at both countries.  no matter how small the percentage of these scholars are with respect to the entire iranians living in the u.s. on student visas, it is still a tragedy!

in addition to travel restriction to attend conferences, iranian students have difficulty visiting their family and friends in iran or in a thrid country.  it is very difficult for families of a non-resident student to get a visa to the u.s.  i'm all for whatever the video says... it was a nice touch by niac to use the silhouette of an iranian watching baseball...very nice.

Doctor X

Proving that the victims of unfair laws are in the minority hurts the minority without helping the majority. What you need to prove in opposing this action is that fairer visa regulations for Iranian students and scholars creates more victims than it helps. 

jj

That is what you think, But when it really comes down to it, US is still numero uno on Everyone's list. Of course, i am talking about the cream of the crop , those who know they will have a futue here in the states and their undergraduate / graduate degrees receive serious and credible consideration.

But generally speaking, I guess you would be right and personally i think a good Univ is a good UNiv, Regardless of where it is located at.

Ari, Oh come on

No need in being so meledramatic. Trumping Sourceless stats?? If I told you i had seen and talked with such students would i be presenting a sourceless stat since i can not go back and track them? (or do you want me to ?) or somehow prove to you that such was the case?

Doctor X, close to home

Getting heartbreakibg emails from students describing their ordeal trumps sourceless stats claiming there aren't many of them.

Here's what I received: 

"...because of the single entry visa that we get and the risk
of going out of the country and getting rejected for visa, both me and
one of my friends had to turn down travel awards for scientific
meetings in Europe this year. All my Lab is currently in Dublin meeting
with a group of scientist about MY research, and I could not go. My
friend won an Art award and got paid to go to Italy to present her work
but she could not go because of the same reason."

Blogged about it here.

Great idea

There are many countries with excellent universities who would gladly accept Iranian students. America is not necessarily the No. 1 preference. The extra hassle Iranians have to through to study in the U.S. will only make them turn elsewhere and make our cultural ties with America even weaker.

عموجان

many Iranian families hire English tutors for their kids, just so that they are able to go abroad and study.  I have spoken to several students who have gone for higher education abroad, or just got fed up and left Iran.  Believe me, they spoke English (Farsglish), but nevertheless, they knew how to get by.

Ari

That would be a very minute percentage of them. The majority seek and receive admission and permission to stay and continue with their education and some even get hired right off the bat. And they would never want to go back to begin with anyway, hence their desire in attending an Int. Conference

Serious need being addressed here

Iranian students leaving the US to go to international conferences or to present papers abroad risk not being able to get back in the country.

As my Iranian Father said

Well, it's like my Iranian

Well, it's like my Iranian father used to say: "If you planted "if", it'd never grow."

"if we had a new regime this would not be a problem"

While you are correct on that, we still need to support these young folks in their struggle both at home and abroad. We need to remember that there were these young folks who bravely rush to the streets a year ago demanding a new regime. Their struggle still lives and they need our support.

Mehrdad

P.S. Where is Fred to do his job at bad mouthing those who are fighting for our young folks?

Mehrdad

if we had a new regime this would not be a problem

its the regime of Iran people. that is why we are having these visa problems all over the world and we are called terrorists.

so we need to concentrate on supporting the green movement to change this regime and then the nuclear issue, visas, ect would be be solved.

NIAC its time to start lobbying for the USA to morally support the people of iran to get rid of this regime.  problems solved.

ITS THE REGIME OF IRAN THAT CAUSES THIS VISA PROBLEM NOT USA.