U.S. weaponizes immigration policy against Iranian diaspora amid geopolitical tensions, deepening cycles of exclusion and retaliation

Persian cultural frameworks, such as the concept of *vatan* (homeland) as both a physical and spiritual space, challenge the binary of 'us vs. them' in immigration narratives. Iranian diaspora communities often preserve traditions of *ta'zieh* (mourning rituals) that transcend borders, yet these are rarely acknowledged in policy discussions. The revocations disrupt these transnational lifeways, treating mobility as a privilege rather than a human right. Indigenous knowledge systems in the region emphasize hospitality (*mehman-nazari*) as a reciprocal duty, starkly at odds with securitized immigration policies.

U.S.-Iran tensions date back to the 1953 coup that overthrew Mossadegh, setting a precedent for mutual distrust and covert operations. The 1979 hostage crisis and subsequent sanctions regimes institutionalized Iranians as perpetual 'others' in U.S. policy, while Iran's post-revolutionary state framed emigration as betrayal. The 2015 JCPOA briefly eased restrictions, but its collapse under Trump revived exclusionary patterns, mirroring Iran's own tightening of dual-national policies. Historical parallels exist in Cold War-era McCarthyism, where nationality-based suspicion justified deportations and surveillance.

Comparative studies show that diaspora policies vary widely: while the U.S. treats Iranian nationals as security risks, countries like Turkey and Malaysia integrate refugees into labor markets without securitization. In India, the NRC process in Assam has similarly targeted Muslim minorities under the guise of 'national security,' revealing a pattern of citizenship as a conditional privilege. Iranian diaspora communities in Canada and Europe report higher integration success when policies focus on skills transfer rather than suspicion. These contrasts highlight how immigration frameworks reflect broader cultural attitudes toward belonging and exclusion.

Research in migration studies demonstrates that visa restrictions and green card revocations correlate with increased 'brain drain' from Iran, disproportionately affecting skilled professionals in medicine and engineering. Data from the Migration Policy Institute shows that 30% of Iranian immigrants in the U.S. hold advanced degrees, yet face higher rates of visa denials post-2018. Studies on securitization theory (e.g., Buzan et al.) reveal how 'threat inflation' in immigration policy leads to self-reinforcing cycles of exclusion. The lack of longitudinal data on diaspora impacts obscures long-term economic and cultural losses.

Iranian cinema and literature, from Abbas Kiarostami to Marjane Satrapi, depict the diaspora experience as one of fragmented identity and longing, challenging state narratives of loyalty. Artists like Shirin Neshat use visual symbolism to critique both U.S. and Iranian state violence, framing the body as a site of resistance. Sufi traditions emphasize *vatan-parasti* (homeland worship) as a spiritual practice, complicating notions of 'foreign allegiance.' The revocations silence these creative expressions, treating culture as a threat rather than a bridge.

Scenario modeling suggests that continued securitization will accelerate the 'brain drain' from Iran, reducing the country's human capital while increasing the U.S.'s reliance on temporary visas for skilled labor. Alternative models, such as Canada's Global Talent Stream, could mitigate these losses by offering pathways to permanent residency for Iranian professionals. The rise of digital nomad visas in countries like Portugal and Estonia offers a template for policies that prioritize skills over nationality. Without de-escalation, the cycle of retaliation risks normalizing visa revocations as a tool of geopolitical pressure.

Iranian-American activists report that dual nationals face a 'double bind'—denied visas to visit family in Iran while simultaneously surveilled in the U.S. for perceived ties to the Iranian state. Women and LGBTQ+ Iranians in the diaspora often experience heightened scrutiny, as their identities are framed as 'deviant' by both U.S. and Iranian state actors. The revocations disproportionately target academics, artists, and journalists, silencing voices critical of either government. Marginalized perspectives from the Iranian diaspora in Latin America and Africa—often overlooked in U.S.-centric narratives—highlight alternative experiences of displacement and resilience.