President Donald Trump’s administration said it is reviewing immigration benefits granted to Iranian immigrants under the previous administration after tens of thousands signed a petition calling for the deportation of a woman identified as the daughter of a prominent Iranian official.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek, “The Trump Administration is reviewing all immigration benefits granted by the Biden administration to aliens from Countries of Concern including Iran.”
A Change.org petition with over 34,000 signatures alleges that multiple family members of Iranian officials live in the U.S., including Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani. Ardeshir-Larijani is the daughter of Ali Larijani, according to a 2021 report by Iran International. Ali Larijani currently serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
McLaughlin told Newsweek that Ardeshir-Larijani was granted a green card in 2021 under then-President Joe Biden’s administration.
Ardeshir-Larijani is listed as a doctor of medical oncology specializing in lung cancer at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. She has been practicing since 2023, according to the institution’s website.
“We are aware of media coverage regarding one of our physicians. Emory employees are hired in full compliance with applicable state and federal laws and other applicable requirements, including our commitment to advancing patient care, research, and teaching,” Andrea Clement, associate director of public relations at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
The petition’s organizers said Iranian officials killed more than 1,000 protesters in just 72 hours, from January 8 to January 10, while “many of them have family members living safely inside the U.S.”
Protests erupted in Iran after the country’s currency crashed to a record low against the U.S. dollar. Depreciation is causing a nationwide spike in prices on food and other daily necessities.
Protesters are chanting anti-government slogans, according to reports from numerous news outlets, including The Associated Press. Iran’s crackdown on the demonstrations has killed at least 2,615 people, The Associated Press reported, citing the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
What To Know
President Donald Trump told Iranian protesters on Tuesday via Truth Social to “KEEP PROTESTING.”
“TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have canceled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” Trump said.
On January 2, Trump said, “If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
Larijani responded to Trump’s comments on the Iranian protests earlier this month.
“We distinguish between the stance of the protesting shopkeepers and the actions of disruptive actors, and Trump should know that U.S. interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America’s interests. The American people should know—Trump started this adventurism. They should be mindful of their soldiers’ safety,” Larijani wrote on X.
The petition’s organizers referenced Larijani’s comments, writing, “After President Trump stated that he would support Iranian protesters, Ali Larijani accused him of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs and warned that the United States should be concerned about the safety of its soldiers.”
In another post, Larijani said Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are “the main killers of the people of Iran.”
What People Are Saying
The petition’s organizers, on the Change.org page: “We, the Iranian people, demand the deportation of these individuals. They benefit from the wealth of the Iranian people and live safely in the United States, while their families rule a brutal dictatorship in Iran.”
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social on Saturday: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Read the full article here
