What's New at NIAC?
The Fight to #RepealtheBan and Secure Equitable Immigration
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Over the past month, we have doubled down on our campaign to end the Muslim Ban and keep the path to green cards open for Iranians. Last week, NIAC helped secure the very first Congressional briefing on the ban [[link removed]] , as well as testimony from an Iranian green card holder, Dr. Abdollah Dehzangi , who is still separated from his Iranian wife.
🎥 Watch an interview with Dr. Dehzang here (in Persian) >> [[link removed]]
✏️ Read Policy Director Ryan Costello's take on the hearing >> [[link removed]]
NIAC Action also signed onto the a joint letter from immigrant communities [[link removed]] that would be impacted by H.R. 1044 / S. 386, the so-called Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act. Our efforts have slowed the bill down, for now. But the bill’s proponents will not back down and will likely try to pass it again later this month. These next weeks will be key—so take action today and stay tuned for more updates soon.
📝 Read more in English [[link removed]] or Persian [[link removed]] >>
🚨 Take action! Urge your legislators to oppose H.R. 1044 >> [[link removed]]




Our Updates
💎 Celebrating Our Community & Allies at NIAC's Ruby Gala [[link removed]] 💎
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Watch a highlight reel of NIAC's Ruby Gala in New York here >> [[link removed]]
On September 26th, NIAC took New York by storm to host our annual Ruby Gala [[link removed]] . From a diverse array of inspiring speakers to a lively cocktail hour, the evening brought together our dearest friends and our most valuable partners to celebrate the Iranian-American community’s successes this year.
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The amazing speakers included MSNBC’s Ari Melber, New York Assemblyman Michael Blake , and Florida State Representative Anna V. Eskamani . NIAC also presented its Courage Award to NIAC friend and partner, J Street, for the organization's tireless dedication to peace, equality, and justice.
All of us at NIAC are so grateful to have the incredible support of our community. Only together—and of course assisted by good food and great friends—can we build political power for our community and ensure our voices are heard from New York to Washington DC.
✨ Missed the event? No problem! Read our event recap and watch the highlight reel here >> [[link removed]]
And make sure to visit our events page [[link removed]] to learn more about our upcoming galas in Washington DC [[link removed]] and San Francisco [[link removed]] !
In the Field
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Last month, NIAC Action volunteers meet with Rep. Perlmutter's district office to ask him to cosponsor the NO BAN Act and Rep. Barbara Lee's JCPOA resolution. We're happy to share that Rep. Perlmutter has since signed onto the NO BAN Act!
Spotlighting Human Rights in Iran
Family of Iranian Activist Detained [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] Last week, Amnesty International reported that Iranian authorities arrested three members of a prominent Iranian activist and U.S. resident, Masih Alinejad, who is known for her activism against compulsory hijab in Iran. The detention of Alinejad’s family underscores an all too common phenomenon of the Iranian government taking aim at activists’ families inside the country in order to silence individuals championing civil rights, both inside Iran and abroad.
NIAC calls on the Iranian government to immediately halt its practice of targeting the family members of Iranian activists and to release Alinejad’s family. We also call on Iran to respect the human rights covenants to which it is signatory and allow for free expression—including the right to express dissent without fear of reprisals
📍 Read more about the case here >> [[link removed]]
📍 Check out our full Human Rights Tracker here >> [[link removed]]
Community & Culture
#ICYMI: Persian Artifacts Returned to Iran [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] We're excited to share that the Persepolis Tablets and other ancient Perisan artifacts that NIAC fought so hard to protect from being seized and sold off to the highest bidder are now returning to Iran!
For over a decade, NIAC spearheaded efforts to protect the tablets. Finally, in December 2019, Iranian Americans all over the country rejoiced when the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the seizure of the Iranian artifacts. We are overjoyed that these symbols of our history and heritage can be appreciated by all and will be enjoyed by the citizens of and visitors to Iran for generations to come.
📌 Read more about our past efforts to protect these artificts here >> [[link removed]]
Transcending Borders - Talking Art & Identity with Kour Pour [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] Some of the most renowned and celebrated figures in Iran’s vast history are artists and poets. Like many diaspora groups, Iranian Americans often preserve their culture and identity through art and literature. NIAC Research Fellow Dr. Assal Rad recently attended an art show in Los Angeles showcasing the works of Kour Pour , a British Iranian artist who lives in Southern California.
Check out Dr. Rad's full interview with Kour Pour as they explore the boundaries of identity, the aim of his art, and the connections we all have in spite of the invisible boundaries that divide us.
🎨 Read the full interview here >> [[link removed]]

From Our Staff
Articles & Analysis 🖋️
[[link removed]] Iran’s Supreme Leader Leaves Diplomatic Door Open [[link removed]]
Sina Toossi for The Atlantic Council's Iran Source
"The attacks on Saudi Arabia’s largest oil facilities have spurred major geopolitical convulsions... Perhaps most consequentially, they have also forced a new cost-benefit analysis for countries around the globe regarding President Donald Trump’s Iran policy."
📌 Read the article here >> [[link removed]]
Iran Unfiltered - Rouhani Says U.S. Open to Sanctions Removal [[link removed]] [[link removed]]
Sina Toossi
In last week's edition of Iran Unfiltered , Sina Toossi explores the latest from the UN General Assembly, Rouhani's diplomatic overtures with Saudi Arabia, the Iranian government's crackdown on workers rights activists, and more.
📌 Read the digest here >> [[link removed]]
NIAC in the News 📰
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📺 Watch: NIAC President Jamal Abdi joins Sky News to discuss the risk of Saudi-Iran tensions drawing the U.S. into war. Watch the segment here >> [[link removed]]
📺 Watch: Jamal Abdi joins Thom Hartmann to discuss the conflict in Yemen, attacks on Saudi oil facilities, and the U.S. response. Watch the video here >> [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] Jamal Abdi in The New York Times : Iranian Students Set to Start at U.S. Universities Are Barred From Country >> [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] Jamal Abdi in The Los Angeles Times : Iranian students were accepted to U.S. schools. Then their visas were revoked >> [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] Jamal Abdi in Al Jazeera English : US 'locked and loaded' after Saudi oil attack: Trump >> [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] Policy Director Ryan Costello in Wall Street Journal : U.S. Sanctions Central Bank, Says Will Send Military Forces to Saudi Arabia >> [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] Research Fellow Assal Rad in Fox News : Pressure on FIFA to punish Iran over gender discrimination after 'Blue Girl' death [[link removed]] [[link removed]] >> [[link removed]]
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📺 Watch (in Persian): ایرانی‌های خارج، خواهان فشار بیشتر بر ایران یا نه؟ [[link removed]]
Community Relations Manager Ehsan Zahedani joins BBC Persian to discuss the thoughts of the Iranian diaspora towards the U.S.' maximum pressure policy on Iran. Watch the segment here >> [[link removed]]
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📺 Watch: Communications Director Mana Mostatabi joins CGTN to discuss increased tensions in the Middle East since the attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Watch the video here >> [[link removed]]
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📺 Watch (in Persian): پژوهشگر ارشد نایاک درباره احتمال ملاقات پرزیدنت ترامپ با روحانی [[link removed]]
Senior Research Analyst Sina Toossi joins Voice of America to evaluate the prospects of diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran. Watch the interview here >> [[link removed]]
📺 Watch: Sina Toossi and CGTN's Asieh Namvar discuss rising tensions in the Middle East. Watch the video here >> [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] Sina Toossi in Voice of America : Trump: U.S. Doesn't Seek Conflict But Will Defend Its Interests >> [[link removed]]




Events
✨ Join Us Across the U.S. for NIAC's Annual Galas! ✨
Our annual galas are coming up fast! Join us at our Diamond Gala [[link removed]] in Washington DC on October 19 and our Amethyst Gala [[link removed]] in San Francisco on November 2 for an evening of food, drink, amazing keynote speakers, and entertainment.
🎟️ Check the links below to purchase your tickets!
💎 Diamond Gala: Washington DC - October 19 [[link removed]]
💎 Amethyst Gala: San Francisco, CA - N [[link removed]] ovember 2 [[link removed]]




Want to Support NIAC? Donate. [[link removed]]
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