Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Iranian Man Barred From Entry Under Trump's Order Lands Back At LAX
Vayeghan and his brother embrace at LAX. (Photo by Julia Wick/LAist)
()
On Thursday afternoon, Ali Vayeghan landed back at Los Angeles International Airport after being refused entry and deported under President Trump's immigration ban—Vayeghan is the first traveler to reenter the U.S. after being turned away under the ban.
The 52-year-old Iranian man had arrived in Los Angeles from Tehran just after 7 p.m. on Friday. His gathered family, including his brother, Hossein Vayghan (who spells his last name differently than Ali's), and his niece, Marjan Vayghan, waited at the airport until 3 a.m. that night. Vayeghan was held overnight before being refused entry and put on a plane to Dubai, United Arab Emirates at 3:15 p.m. Saturday, according to the L.A. Times.
Lawyers from the ACLU worked through the weekend to try and help Vayeghan. They were able to obtain the necessary paperwork to secure his release on Saturday, but it arrived about 45 minutes too late, according to the L.A. Times. Next, Vayeghan waited in an airport in Dubai (he was being deported back to Iran via Dubai) while attorneys rushed to get an order from a judge demanding his return to the U.S. Again, the lawyers succeeded, and again relief came slightly too late. U.S. District Court Judge Dolly M. Gee granted the ACLU's request on Sunday afternoon, issuing a temporary restraining order requiring Vayeghan be returned to the U.S. However, by the time the ruling came through, Vayeghan was already on a plane from Dubai to Iran.
Gee's ruling "is one of the most aggressive actions a federal judge has taken against the executive order," according to the New York Times.
Support for LAist comes from
"This was a case for one person, but people across the country suffered similar treatment," Peter Bibring, a lawyer representing Vayeghan for the ACLU of Southern California, told the New York Times. “It demonstrates that the valid visa holders who were removed this weekend should be returned."
Vayeghan landed at LAX just after 12:45 p.m. on Thursday. Mayor Eric Garcetti, the Vayeghan family, the ACLU, and other nonprofit lawyers waited to greet him after holding a press conference at the airport. The ACLU is live streaming Vayeghan's return here.
()
Ali Vayeghan (left) with niece Marjan Vayghan (middle) and Mayor Eric Garcetti (right). (Photo by Julia Wick)
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist