On March 30, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), alongside a coalition of Iranian American legal, civic, and community organizations, sent a letter to the Administration urging the immediate restoration of immigration benefit adjudications for Iranian nationals lawfully present in the United States. The letter was signed by a broad coalition of organizations representing Iranian American communities nationwide and reflects growing concern over recent policy pauses affecting immigration processing.
This letter comes at a critical moment. Recent policy changes have placed a hold on the adjudication of immigration benefits for Iranian nationals, creating widespread disruption for students, professionals, and families seeking to maintain lawful status, continue employment, and remain compliant with U.S. immigration requirements. These delays have introduced significant uncertainty for individuals who have already been vetted and are legally residing in the United States.
The coalition highlights the far-reaching consequences of these pauses, including job loss, disruption to critical research and innovation sectors, and instability for families and communities. Iranian nationals play a vital role in the U.S. economy, particularly in STEM fields, healthcare, and academic research, and delays in adjudications risk undermining these contributions.
The letter urges the Administration to take several immediate steps:
• Resume adjudication of pending and newly filed Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications
• Restore routine processing of extensions of stay, changes of status, and related immigration benefits
• Provide clear public guidance regarding the scope and duration of any remaining review measures
• Implement safeguards to prevent loss of lawful status or employment due to government-imposed delays
• Consider humanitarian protections, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), deferred action, and humanitarian parole
Advancing these measures is essential to ensuring stability, protecting livelihoods, and upholding the integrity and predictability of the U.S. immigration system. Prompt action will help prevent unnecessary hardship for individuals and families while maintaining confidence in lawful immigration pathways.
PAAIA remains committed to advocating for policies that support the Iranian American community and promote fairness, stability, and humanitarian protections within the U.S. immigration system.
