President's Message
John,
I hope this message finds you well after a busy start to the year for the Iranian-American community. 

We are deeply concerned by the Israeli strikes inside Iran that took place this past weekend — regional tensions are rising and this latest escalation should be cause for concern for all of us who oppose war. As Iranians continue to demand freedom and struggle under a brutal theocracy, the threat of war only undermines their cause. Please read our full statement here. 

There were also some positive developments last week. We are pleased with the passage of H.Con.Res. 7 in the House, condemning the Islamic Republic's human rights violations and encouraging steps to support Internet freedom. The resolution, which NIAC supported, was supported in a bipartisan fashion by 420 Representatives and now moves to the Senate. We were also encouraged that the Department of Treasury published additional guidance for exporting online communication tools to Iranians as their need to access the internet and circumvent government surveillance persists. Additionally, as we note below, there was important progress last week toward securing a Census category so that our community is accurately counted. 
Finally, we are also grappling with injustice here at home, with the murder of another unarmed Black man, Tyre Nichols, at the hands of police in Memphis. This heinous act is just the latest reminder that we must all stand together against state brutality and call out injustice wherever it takes place.
Thank you for your support, friend, that enables us to fight for justice and, whether the news is positive or negative, ensure Iranian Americans have a seat at the table where decisions are made. 
Best,
- Jamal Abdi
Important developments
H.Con.Res 7

This week, the House passed - with bipartisan support - H.Con.Res. 7, a resolution that formally condemns the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini and the Iranian government’s human rights violations against its own people, and implores big tech companies to step up and take full advantage of the loosened internet restrictions inside Iran. The resolution will also implement targeted sanctions on individual human rights violators, not Iranian society as a whole.
Internet freedom in Iran

Earlier this month, the Dept. of Treasury published additional guidance concerning the export of vital communications tools to the people of Iran, which follows the Biden administration’s move last September to update General License D-2 in support of internet freedom in Iran.
NIAC has been calling on U.S. technology companies to make their services available to Iranians for months. WhatsApp took an important step recently, stating that users of the latest version will be able to use proxy servers to access their service in Iran. Others like Google and Amazon need to follow suit and provide tools that allow Iranians to communicate and organize freely.
Israel carries out drone strike on Iran 

Following Israel's drone strike on Iran over the weekend, NIAC released the an official statement marking our concern for the prospect of war in the Middle East, and breaking down what escalating tensions mean for innocent people in the region and Iranians already struggling under a brutal and oppressive government in Tehran. 

Calling out Texas Bill banning Iranians from owning property

Texas Governor Abbott has announced that he plans on signing legislation banning Iranians from owning property in his state.This new bill, Texas Senate bill 147, would ban citizens of Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea from owning property and represents a new and unconstitutional chapter in the campaign to vilify and strip the rights of individuals of Iranian descent. We have mobilized to stop this legislation from getting through. Take action now by signing our urgent petition and calling his office. 

Recognition of a MENA category

The Biden administration is proposing major changes to forms for the 2030 census and federal government surveys. The establishment of a MENA category would finally begin to address a gap for communities like ours in research and policymaking on subjects like health outcomes, socioeconomic conditions, and civic engagement. NIAC has long advocated for this move and will be closely monitoring it moving forward, read our statement here.
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Social Hub
[[link removed]]Myriam Sabbaghi, NIAC Action's National Organizing Manager, breaks down Texas Governor Greg Abbott's proposed ban on Iranians from owning property. [[link removed]]
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NIAC alongside allied organizations and Members of Congress like Reps. Judy Chu and Rashida Tlaib on the 6th anniversary of Trumps Muslim Ban. [[link removed]]
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Human Rights Tracker
Keyvan Samini, a well known political prisoner, is released. [[link removed]]
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Rights Defender Arash Sadeghi Released from Unjust Imprisonment [[link removed]]
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Javad Rouhi Suffered “Terrible Torture” During Detention [[link removed]]
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Take action...
Tell Congress to Stand in Solidarity with Iranian Protesters take action [[link removed]]
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