Media Contact

ACLU SoCal Communications & Media Advocacy, 213.977.5252, communications@aclusocal.org

February 2, 2017

LOS ANGELES -- Ali Vayeghan, an Iranian citizen with a valid U.S. visa, is scheduled to arrive today at Los Angeles International Airport on at approximately 12:45 p.m. PT on Qatar Airlines Flight 739.  

Vayeghan arrived last Friday at LAX from Tehran only to be detained overnight by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and forcibly removed from the country, after President Trump's executive order banning travel from Iran and six other Muslim-majority countries. 

On Sunday, U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee granted a request from ACLU Foundation of Southern California and the Law Offices of Stacy Tolchin that Vayeghan be brought back to Los Angeles. He is the only traveler sent back from the U.S. due to the ban who has been allowed to return as a result of a court action. 

Vayeghan, who will be arriving at Tom Bradley International Terminal, will be greeted by his brother Hossein Vayghan (sic - different spelling), his niece Marjan Vayghan and civil rights and immigration advocates.

WHAT: Press Conference ahead of Ali Vayeghan's arrival

WHO: Vayghan Family and Civil Rights Advocates

WHEN: Thursday, February 2 at 12:15 p.m. PT

WHERE: Terminal 2 - Arrivals, LAX