"We have heard directly from members of our community; students, doctors, engineers, parents, who are scared. They are scared of losing their jobs, their homes, their immigration status, and their ability to provide for their families. These are people who came to this country lawfully, followed every rule, and want nothing more than to contribute. They deserve answers, and they deserve to be treated fairly."
The consequences of the adjudication pause extend far beyond paperwork delays. Across the country, Iranian nationals are losing jobs, facing gaps in healthcare coverage, and struggling to maintain housing stability, not because of any individual wrongdoing, but because routine and mandated government processes have been suspended without clear timelines or safeguards. U.S. employers, universities, and research institutions are simultaneously losing trained, specialized talent critical to innovation and economic competitiveness.
Iranian Americans are deeply woven into the fabric of American life. They are researchers advancing cures in American hospitals, engineers building the technologies of tomorrow, entrepreneurs creating jobs in communities across the country, and students pursuing their education at the nation's top universities.
The coalition's concerns are heightened by the rapidly deteriorating conditions in Iran, where ongoing military conflict, political repression, and economic instability make return dangerous or untenable for many.
The letter calls on the Administration to:
Resume adjudication of pending and newly filed EAD applications for Iranian nationals lawfully present in the U.S.
Restore routine processing of extensions of stay, changes of status, and naturalization steps
Provide clear public guidance on the scope and expected duration of remaining review measures
Implement safeguards to prevent loss of lawful status caused by government-imposed delays
Consider targeted humanitarian protections, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Iranian nationals
"Iranians in America want to contribute to this country; that is why we have come here," said Mr. Rahnama "Our immigration system already has robust, individualized vetting mechanisms in place. A blanket pause that sweeps in people who have done everything right is neither fair nor necessary. We urge the Administration to act swiftly so that these families can get back to doing what they came here to do: building better lives and making this country stronger."
IALDF will continue to advocate in courtrooms, in coalitions, and in every forum available, until our community members are treated with the dignity and fairness they deserve.
