Iranian Couple In Idaho Faces Choice: Stay Or Go?

For University of Idaho graduate student Maziar Rostamian, living with his wife Akhgar Kiakojuri in eastern Idaho has its challenges.

The pair, who do not have the same name because it isn’t customary in Islamic culture, are from Iran. While America is feeling more and more like home, Iran is feeling much too little like home.

Kiakojuri serves us all a cup of Iranian tea, and Rostamian shows photos of his homeland, on the edge of the Caspian Sea. It’s a lush, green part of Iran, a place he hasn’t seen in more than 2 years. The risk of going back, even for a visit, is far too great.

“There have been examples of people who couldn’t get their visa back to the U.S., and they were stuck,” said Rostamian.

With a home, studies and an educational sponsor for Rostamian, the risk of getting stuck in Iran is an impossible one to take.

Even if an Iranian citizen is on the books as a student here on a visa, Rostamian said the visa back to the U.S. would have to be renewed, and the chances aren’t on a student’s side.

“It makes life very difficult for us,” he said.

It’s difficult for both of them. Because, while Rostamian has his studies, Kiakojuri must stay home. There is no way she can get a job on her visa.

“Because I like to be around the people, communicate with the other people,” said Kiakojuri.

She said a job could even give her a place to talk to people about the country she loves and wishes she could just visit, without leaving everything else behind. She knows just what she’d do first.

“Call my best friend, and go to shopping center together,” she said.

Alchgar and Kiakojuri said they hope visa restrictions become more lenient for Iranian students, so they will be able to see their families soon.

But for now, there’s plenty of tea.