News Summary
Hoosang Aghdassi seeks answers for his wife, Sharareh Moghadam, detained by ICE during a citizenship appointment. The couple’s community is rallying for her release while highlighting the emotional toll on their family. Moghadam, who has medical issues, faces a grim situation in custody. Aghdassi considers leaving the U.S. if it ensures their safety, reflecting the distress caused by their separation.
Studio City, CA – Hoosang Aghdassi is urgently seeking answers regarding the detention of his wife, 55-year-old Sharareh Moghadam, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Her detainment occurred during what was expected to be a routine immigration appointment in downtown Los Angeles about one month ago.
Aghdassi has taken to publicizing the situation by distributing fliers at his business, Elegant Balloons, appealing for information on Moghadam’s whereabouts. The fliers contain a poignant message imploring the community to help bring Moghadam home and express the emotional turmoil faced by their family, which he describes as “broken” yet steadfast in love.
Moghadam was attending an event that she believed was a ceremony for her U.S. citizenship test when she was taken into custody by immigration authorities. Since her detention, Aghdassi has not had any opportunity to see or communicate with her directly, intensifying the distress felt by both himself and their family.
According to Aghdassi, the circumstances around his wife’s detention are inherently unfair, as she had never violated any laws, not even receiving a parking ticket. Friends of the couple emphasize their close bond and the emotional toll that this situation has wrought on Aghdassi, who has described the impact as devastating.
Moghadam is currently being held in an ICE facility in Arizona, where reports indicate that she has stopped taking insulin for her diabetes due to worsening conditions. Conversations with Aghdassi have revealed her feelings of despair, as she has hinted at drastic measures resulting from her precarious situation.
Aghdassi, who immigrated to the United States in 1977, highlighted his wife’s previous experiences of persecution in Iran for her Bahai faith, marking a harrowing chapter in their lives. Moghadam had legally obtained her green card after joining Aghdassi in the U.S. a decade after his arrival.
In a community effort, nearly 100 individuals have visited Aghdassi’s balloon shop to express their support by signing a petition addressed to Representative Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), urging action to facilitate Moghadam’s release. Moghadam has also secured legal representation in Arizona; however, reports suggest that if she is not released within a month, she will consider self-deportation as an option.
Aghdassi has expressed his willingness to leave the United States if it would ensure their safety and reunite him with his wife, despite his deep connection to the country he now considers his own. He indicated that the emotional strain of their unexpected separation has discouraged his faith in prayer, a coping mechanism he previously relied upon.
As of now, inquiries have been made to the Department of Homeland Security for more details regarding Moghadam’s current status and the rationale behind her detention; however, no responses have been received as of the latest reports. The community remains engaged and active in seeking resolution for the distressing case, holding on to hopes for Moghadam’s return.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News
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- NBC Los Angeles
- Google Search: ICE detention immigration
- ABC7 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
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- Google News: Los Angeles immigration detention
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