The disappearance of a small pair of reading glasses on the counter of a Studio City balloon shop reflects the ongoing struggle of business owner Hooshang Aghdassi. Nearly a month has passed since his wife, Sharareh Moghaddam, was detained by ICE during what they believed was a routine immigration appointment in Downtown Los Angeles.
The Department of Homeland Security has indicated that Moghaddam, who entered the U.S. in 2014 and gained lawful status in 2016, has a criminal record dating back to 2015. This assertion is firmly denied by Aghdassi, who insists that his wife, a green card holder for over a decade, has led a law-abiding life. In early August, while attending what they anticipated was a citizenship ceremony following her recent successful citizenship test, Moghaddam was taken into custody. Aghdassi recalls being told simply, “You can go. She’s not coming.”
Both natives of Iran, Aghdassi and Moghaddam have been married for seven years and have a history of traveling in and out of the U.S. without any issues. Earlier this year, Moghaddam returned to Iran due to a family bereavement, further complicating the current situation. The couple was blindsided by the detainment, especially in light of Moghaddam’s recent vetting for citizenship approval—a process that suggested her slate was clear.
The Department of Homeland Security counters that between August 2015 and May 2019, Moghaddam was convicted of two separate theft offenses, rendering her susceptible to deportation under U.S. immigration law. According to DHS, any infraction can potentially annul the privilege of holding a visa or green card.
Jean Reisz, an associate professor at USC Gould School of Law, elaborates that criminal records, even those expunged, can hinder the process of obtaining citizenship or lead to deportation. “For whatever reason, it hasn’t come to the attention of the government,” she notes, pointing out that Moghaddam’s application possibly prompted additional scrutiny from immigration authorities.
Despite this, Aghdassi remains firm in his belief in his wife’s innocence and has garnered community support seeking her release. Signs at their shop urging for help have drawn significant public backing, with many signing a petition accompanying Aghdassi’s plight. Professor Reisz warns, however, that community action has its limitations. If Moghaddam’s convictions subject her to permanent barring or removal, communal support may not prevent deportation.
The influx of support has been a source of comfort to Aghdassi, who is appreciative of those rallying behind him. He understands, though, that a decision ultimately lies in legal hands.
In a heartfelt sentiment, Aghdassi expresses his commitment to his wife, stating if the worst were to occur and she ends up deported, he wouldn’t hesitate to join her. “If she has to go, if they send her out, my life goes with her,” he declares. This poignant declaration underscores the depth of their bond and the personal toll this ordeal has taken on their lives.