President's Message
Dear John,
The past few weeks have brought fear and uncertainty to our community — halted immigration processing [[link removed]] , renewed denaturalization threats, and another imminent deportation flight to Iran [[link removed]] . Through it all, NIAC has been working nonstop to protect our rights.
If you are or know someone impacted by the halt on immigration applications, we are connecting people to litigation – please fill out our confidential intake form here [[link removed]] .
We’re suing ICE [[link removed]] for transparency, expanding community protection [[link removed]] resources, documenting cases through our ICE Tracker [[link removed]] , and advancing political accountability with our new Congressional Scorecard.
None of this work is possible without your supprt. Thanks to your generosity on Giving Tuesday, we raised $19,412.69 toward our end-of-year goal. We now need to reach $250,000 by December 31 to ensure NIAC can continue exposing abuses, challenging discriminatory policies, and holding ICE accountable in court.
Can you make a 100% tax-deductible contribution to power this work [[link removed]] ? [[link removed]]
Lawsuits, rapid-response advocacy, research, and public education all require sustained funding. The forces behind xenophobia and war are powerful, but they are not unstoppable.
👉 Please help us fight back – donate to our End of Year campaign [[link removed]] to power our lawsuit against ICE and our defense of the community.
👉 Use and share the Congressional Scorecard [[link removed]] to hold your elected officials accountable.
With care and determination,
Jamal Abdi NIAC Action Executive Director[[link removed]]
Memo: The Trump Administration's Latest Actions Against Iranian and Other Immigrants
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Memo: The Trump Administration’s Latest Actions Against Iranian and Other Immigrants [[link removed]]
December 3, 2025 – This memo explains new federal actions that stop all immigration and asylum applications for people from Iran and 18 other countries in the travel ban, halt asylum applications entirely regardless of country of origin, and intent to reopen thousands of already approved cases for re-inspection. Our memo breaks down clearly who is affected and how to get support.
If you are Iranian and have a paused immigration application as a result of this unjust action, we can connect you to litigation opportunities. Please fill out this secure and confidential intake form [[link removed]] and our staff will get in touch with you ASAP to help. We do not share this information with anybody, it is used internally to help connect you to support.
It lays out what this means in plain terms, who could be affected, why the policies are being challenged as discriminatory, and where impacted people can find legal help and support.
اقدامات تازه دولت ترامپ علیه ایرانیان و دیگر مهاجران [[link removed]]
NIAC's End of Year Giving Campaign
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We are counting on you [[link removed]]
In a year marked by war with Iran, rising discrimination, and ICE's unprecedented targeting of our community, NIAC has stood strong alongside 70,000 members to fight for peace and the civil rights. As a nonprofit, we depend on donors like you to help to power our work.
Donate to help us hit our end of year fundraising goal by making a 100% tax-deductible donation before December 31. [[link removed]]
NIAC Action Congressional Scorecard Launch
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NIAC Action Releases Congressional Scorecard [[link removed]]
NIAC Action released a comprehensive Congressional Scorecard evaluating Members of Congress on the decisions that matter most to the Iranian-American community – from U.S.-Iran relations and war powers, to immigration, civil rights, and the ongoing U.S. role in Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.
This real time scorecard helps you understand what your elected officials are actually doing – not just what they say they are doing:
* Find your lawmakers by zip code, address, or on our map.
* Track key votes on Iran war, Gaza, sanctions, immigration and civil rights.
* View your elected officials’ financial ties to pro-war lobbying groups.
NIAC Sues ICE
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NIAC Sues ICE for Documents on Detentions of Iranians and Deportations to Iran [[link removed]]
November 20, 2025 – NIAC has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after the agency failed to fulfill a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request concerning its arrests and deportations of Iranian nationals – operations that recent reporting suggests have put people in mortal danger. ICE – like any government agency – is obligated by the law to be fully transparent with the public.
NIAC’s FOIA request seeks the information that our community needs to understand the scope and legality behind these operations:
* Number of Iranians in ICE custody;
* Duration of their detentions;
* Location of initial arrests;
* Number of deportations;
* Internal communications about removal flights to Iran and third countries; and
* Messages between ICE leadership, DHS officials, and political actors involved in removal decisions.
We expect the government’s response in mid-December, after which we will provide an update.
More from NIAC Insights
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Subscribe to NIAC Insights! [[link removed]]
NIAC Insights: [[link removed]] “ ICE Is Targeting Us – Here’s How We Fight Back ,” by NIAC.
NIAC Insights: [[link removed]] “ Could Israel Pursue Regime Change in Iran? ” by NIAC Policy Director Ryan Costello.
Making Headlines: Our Work in the Media
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The New York Times: [[link removed]] “ Trump’s Crackdown in Wake of Shooting Blocks Legal Pathways for Migrants ,” featuring NIAC Policy Director Ryan Costello.
Associated Press: [[link removed]] “ In Brief Glimpses of Tehran, AP Journalist Sees a Changing and Challenged Iran ,” featuring NIAC's Iran Unfiltered newsletter.
The Guardian: [[link removed]] “ Lawmakers Decry Trump’s Immigration Halt for 19 Countries: ‘Scapegoating Entire Nationalities’ ,” featuring NIAC.
Middle East Eye: [[link removed]] “ It May Get Harder to Secure US Green Card if You Come From a Travel Ban-Listed Country, ” featuring NIAC President Jamal Abdi.
KPFA Law & Disorder: [[link removed]] “ National Guard Shooting in DC Reactions; Homelessness Law Center on Utah Forced Labor Camp ,” featuring Jamal Abdi.
Truthout: [[link removed]] “ ICE Detains Iranian Professor for 3 Days for ‘Standard Questioning’ ,” featuring NIAC Organizing Manager Etan Mabourakh and NIAC analysis.
Civil Rights
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Travel Ban and Immigrant Justice Resource Center [[link removed]]
NIAC's Travel Ban & Immigrant Justice Resource Center supports Iranian Americans facing growing threats, from ICE raids and deportations to travel bans and denaturalization. The center offers legal resources, know-your-rights guides, an ICE Tracker [[link removed]] , and tools to take action.
نسخه فارسی راهنما را اینجا بخوانید [[link removed]]
Second Iran Deportation Flight Imminent, Vulnerable Iranians Must Be Protected [[link removed]]
December 4, 2025 – NIAC warns that a second deportation flight to Iran is imminent, putting detained Iranians at grave risk of persecution, abuse, and forced return without due process, and calls on the Trump administration to immediately halt the flight and investigate reports of mistreatment in detention.
National Iranian American Council Condemns Trump’s Halt of Immigration Applications [[link removed]]
December 3, 2025 – NIAC condemns the Trump administration’s sweeping halt of green card, citizenship, and asylum applications for people from travel ban–targeted countries, warning that the policy is unlawful, discriminatory, and designed to punish entire communities based solely on national origin.
Admin Announces Discriminatory Targeting After Horrific Shooting of National Guards [[link removed]]
December 1, 2025 – NIAC discusses both the deadly National Guard shooting and the Trump administration’s discriminatory response, warning that calls to denaturalize citizens and re-examine green card holders from targeted countries are unconstitutional, dangerous, and an assault on due process and fundamental civil rights.
NIAC Warns Trump Administration Against Potential Green Card Restrictions On Iranians, Other Travel Ban Countries [[link removed]]
November 17, 2025 – Following reports that the Trump administration is considering blocking green cards for lawful visa holders from travel ban-listed countries, a formal warning was sent to top federal officials arguing that using national origin as a negative factor is discriminatory, unlawful, and unrelated to any credible security risk.
Peace & Diplomacy
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No War with Iran Action Hub [[link removed]]
NIAC’s centralized platform delivers timely updates, analysis, and calls to action to mobilize public pressure, especially through Congress, against U.S. or allied military escalation toward Iran.
Iran Unfiltered
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Precipitation Welcomed in Iran Amid Historic Drought, Deepening Water and Subsidence Crisis [[link removed]]
November 18, 2025 – Iran is facing one of the most severe environmental crises in its modern history as extreme drought, collapsing reservoirs, and accelerating land subsidence converge into a nationwide emergency threatening water access, electricity generation, food production, and even the survival of ancient heritage sites.
Iran’s Release of the Seized Oil Tanker and Its Geopolitical Significance [[link removed]]
November 20, 2025 – Iran’s brief seizure and release of a commercial oil tanker in the Persian Gulf signals both restraint and strategic warning, highlighting how rising U.S. pressure, regional diplomacy, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz remain tightly intertwined amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Three Iranian Scholars Released on Bail After Recent Arrests [[link removed]]
November 13, 2025 – Three prominent Iranian scholars were released on bail after being detained for 10 days without clear charges, amid a wider wave of interrogations and arrests linked to alleged national security investigations and unsubstantiated accusations against academic networks.
Learn More
📥 Subscribe to receive Iran Unfiltered in your inbox weekly [[link removed]]
Visit our catalog of human rights trackers [[link removed]]
📥 [[link removed]] Subscribe to receive the Human Rights Tracker in your inbox [[link removed]]
Upcoming Events
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Yalda Open-Mic Night [[link removed]]
Please join us on Sunday, December 21st at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Zoom to get together to celebrate Yalda, the ancient Winter Solstice celebration of Iranian culture. We're honored to have Aria Fani, Professor of Persian Languages and Literature at the University of Washington, Seattle as our special guest for the evening.
As this will be an open-mic night, attendees are welcome to share poems, musical performances, and short stories, or just listen. Folks who want to share will be given a five-minute time slot, and presentations can be in any language of choice. Submissions themed around Yalda will be prioritized.
You must be a chapter member of any NIAC chapter across the country to join. You can affirm or sign up for NIAC chapter membership at the bottom of this form [[link removed]] . We will be assigning presentation slots on a first-come, first-served basis. If there's high demand to share poems & short stories, we will prioritize NIAC chapter members and active volunteers.
RSVP Here! [[link removed]]
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National Leaders & New Members Welcome Call! [[link removed]]
Join us and get plugged into the next steps – don't miss NIAC's upcoming National Leaders and New Members Welcome Call, Wednesday 12/10 at 5:00pm PT/8:00pm ET on Zoom.
Connect with the frontline leaders of a powerful grassroots network spanning over 70,000 members across all 50 states. Our national network includes 14 local chapters overseen by experienced volunteer captains who, like you, care about diplomacy with Iran, defending our civil rights, standing up for human rights from Tehran to Gaza, and preventing another war.
On this call, we'll reset and reground ourselves in our core mission and campaigns, then share an exclusive look ahead at opportunities in 2026 to build our power in all 50 states.
Only registered chapter members who have RSVP'd and follow our Community Code of Conduct [[link removed]] will be granted entry.
RSVP Here! [[link removed]]
Local NIAC Chapters are planning events and building power across the country.
➡️ Sign up with your local volunteer-led chapter [[link removed]] if you haven’t already!
In Case You Missed It
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AIPAC's Worst Nightmare [[link removed]]
Leading pro-peace organizers and advocates from Washington D.C. and New York City gathered Friday, November 14 at The People's Forum to connect the power of grassroots protest to real policy change in Washington and better understand the surging movement to end U.S. complicity in war crimes and restore integrity to our foreign policy. Watch the full panel on Youtube! [[link removed]]
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March for Gaza [[link removed]]
On Saturday, November 8, hundreds of Brooklyn community members, activists, and advocates for peace joined the March for Gaza, organized by the National Iranian American Council Action (NIAC Action), Brooklyn For Peace, NY-8 Neighbors for a Gaza Ceasefire, and Peace Action NYS. The march began outside the home of Representative Hakeem Jeffries and concluded at Senator Chuck Schumer’s residence. Participants called on both Democratic leaders to align their actions with the will of the majority of voters, who overwhelmingly support a legitimate ceasefire in Gaza, and not with the interests of AIPAC or the war lobby. Watch highlights from the March on Youtube. [[link removed]]
Local NIAC Chapters are planning events and building power across the country.
➡️ Sign up with your local volunteer-led chapter [[link removed]] if you haven’t already!
Stay Engaged: NIAC Online
NIAC on Instagram [[link removed]]
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NIAC on F [[link removed]] acebook [[link removed]]
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NIAC on Twitter/X [[link removed]]
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NIAC on T [[link removed]] ikTok [[link removed]]
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FOLLOW NIAC [[link removed]] AND JAMAL ABDI [[link removed]] ON TIKTOK
Support Our Work
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Every contribution helps us fight back against mass deportations, snapback sanctions, and the march to war.
👉 Make a 100% tax-deductible donation today and help power NIAC’s fight for peace, justice, and the rights of our community. [[link removed]]
Your continued support is crucial. Donate today to help us make a difference.
Thank you for standing with us as we navigate these challenging times and strive for peace, justice, and human rights.unsubscribe: [link removed]