Doctor loses US citizenship after 61 years of living in America

Siavash Sobhani, a distinguished medical doctor and long-time resident of North Virginia, was deported at the age of 61.

The saga began in February, when the doctor, who was born in the United States, applied for a new passport and received a letter from the US State Department.

According to The Washington Post, the letter stated that Sobhani’s father was a diplomat at the Iranian Embassy at the time of the physician’s birth.

As a result, the document contended that Sobhani, given his father’s diplomatic immunity at the time, should not have been granted automatic US citizenship.

This unexpected revelation comes as a surprise to Sobhani, who has been practising medicine for over thirty years and has never encountered such problems.

Despite the fact that he had to renew his passport on a regular basis throughout his life, the US State Department always confirmed his American citizenship.

Sobhani, who recently turned 62, had planned to retire and travel the world for a year with his spouse in search of a new home before losing his citizenship.

He must now navigate the complicated process of applying for lawful permanent residence in accordance with State Department guidelines.

Sobhani revealed to The Washington Post that the situation has already cost him more than USD 40,000 in legal fees.

Furthermore, the resolution date of his case is still unknown, leaving him unsure of his future and travel plans.

Expressing his concerns, Sobhani questioned the prolonged timeline of the process.

“I’m waiting for an interview, but does that mean I wait another year for an interview? Then another three years for the next step? Then another 10 years before I can travel outside of the country?,” the doctor told the post.

Sobhani has reached out to Virginia’s senator and his congressional representative in an attempt to obtain assistance.

Congressman Gerald Edward Connolly of Virginia’s 11th congressional district has responded by corresponding with US Citizenship and Immigration Services on Sobhani’s behalf.

To complicate matters further, Sobhani, who has spoken out against the Iranian regime, fears for his safety if he returns to Iran.

In addition, he is unable to visit his gravely ill father-in-law in Lebanon because he will not be able to obtain a passport in time for his son’s wedding in Portugal next year.