LOS ANGELES – The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (ACLU SoCal) and law offices of Stacy Tolchin have reached a settlement with the United States on behalf of Ali Vayeghan, an Iranian immigrant denied entry to the U.S. at LAX and deported back to Iran in January during the Trump administration’s first Muslim travel ban.
Mr. Vayeghan, who had a visa to enter the U.S., was ordered by a federal court to be allowed back into the country. He returned February 2 at LAX, where he was greeted by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, among other dignitaries, and his family. Since then he has been granted a green card and lawful permanent residence based on his previously issued visa.
The settlement announced today guarantees that the government's attempt to cancel Mr. Vayeghan's visa will have no effect on his immigration status. It also calls for the U.S. to pay the cost of Mr. Vayeghan's airplane fare back to this country. He has been united with his son and plans to remain in the U.S.
"Today's settlement vindicates Mr. Vayeghan's rights and assures that he will not be affected by the administration's discriminatory attempt to limit immigration for Muslims,” said Peter Bibring, senior staff attorney and police practices director at the ACLU SoCal. “We look forward to the Supreme Court striking down this discriminatory action that affected so many others."
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