Your Guide to U.S. Immigration in 2025: What Iranian Nationals Need to Know

In 2025, immigration policies in the U.S. have shifted significantly, especially for nationals from Iran. These changes affect visa applicants, green card holders, students, and even long-term residents. With more scrutiny, delays, and restrictions across multiple immigration agencies, it is  important to stay informed and prepared. 

At ImmigraTrust Law, we break down the legal jargon and provide clear updates for our community. Below, we summarize what Iranian nationals should know—and what to watch out for.

⚠️ Important: Immigration law changes fast. For tailored advice, contact an experienced immigration attorney before making any travel plans or filing applications.

1. Potential 2025 Travel Ban: What the "Red Zone" Means for Iran
In January 2025, the administration signed an Executive Order laying the foundation for a new travel ban targeting specific countries. Based on leaked government documents, Iran may be placed in the “Red Zone,” the strictest tier of travel restrictions.

If enacted, this would mean:

• No new U.S. visas would be issued to most Iranian nationals.
• No entry into the U.S., even for those with valid visas, unless specific exemptions apply.
• Reentry risks for green card holders (LPRs) who travel abroad—rules are unclear.

Unlike earlier bans, this proposal appears broader and more aggressive, possibly limiting even student and family-based categories. While it hasn’t been officially implemented yet, all signs suggest the administration is preparing to enforce it soon.

📌 What You Can Do: If you are planning international travel or are awaiting a visa, consult a lawyer now. You may want to expedite your plans before restrictions are in place.

2. More Scrutiny at the Airport: Expect Tougher Entry Checks
Even if you hold a valid visa or green card, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at airports have the authority to deny entry based on interviews, device inspections, or perceived national security concerns.

Here’s what to expect:

• Stricter questioning about your travel history, education, social connections, and online activities.
• Device searches of your phone, laptop, and apps. Officers may ask for passwords or take your device for analysis.
• Social media reviews during border inspections—even if not explicitly stated in policy.

This means your personal photos, group messages, or reposted articles could be misinterpreted. CBP has broad discretion, and even lawful travelers have been turned away due to something found on a device.

🧳 Travel Tip: Consider backing up and removing unnecessary data before traveling. Use temporary devices when possible and disable biometric phone locks (fingerprint and face ID).

3. Visa Delays and Mandatory Interviews
The visa process is slowing down—and becoming more complicated—for many Iranian nationals. Reports suggest that most categories will now require in-person interviews and extended background checks.

What’s happening:

• Mandatory interviews are now likely for student, business, and visitor visa applicants—even renewals.
• Administrative processing is becoming more common, especially for applicants from countries under increased scrutiny, like Iran.
• Social media checks are now required for many students, especially those who were in the U.S. between Oct 2023 – Aug 2024 or had a SEVIS termination.

This additional review process can lead to long delays with little explanation. Cases can stay “in processing” for months or even years.

⏰ Plan Ahead: Start visa applications as early as possible. Let your school or employer know about possible delays and ask your lawyer how to prepare strong documentation to avoid denials.

4. Green Card and Citizenship Applications Under Review
Inside the U.S., USCIS has begun implementing stricter review procedures for applicants adjusting their status or applying for citizenship. These policies increase scrutiny for Iranian nationals, particularly men with military backgrounds.

Expect the following:

• Delays for I-485 (green card) and N-400 (naturalization) applications due to “enhanced vetting.”
• Requests for Evidence (RFEs) asking for proof of good moral character, military service, or political activity.
• Increased denials for individuals who previously served in the IRGC (Sepah)—even if service was involuntary or non-combat.

Military service in Sepah has triggered complex legal obstacles due to its classification as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Many Iranian men conscripted into Sepah decades ago are now being asked to defend their past.

📁 Legal Help Needed: These cases require expert legal arguments, affidavits, and filing with caution. If you ever served in Sepah, talk to an immigration lawyer before filing anything.

5. Political Posts and Protests Can Affect Immigration Status
One of the more concerning developments in 2025 is the use of political speech or social media activity as a basis for immigration denials or deportation. Authorities are now watching for what they call “hostile attitudes toward U.S. government or culture.”

What this means for Iranians:

• Posts that criticize U.S. policies or foreign affairs could be flagged.
• Public demonstrations or activism—especially around Middle Eastern issues—may lead to visa revocation or ICE referrals.
• Even lawful permanent residents (LPRs) have reportedly faced removal proceedings due to perceived foreign policy conflicts.

Immigration officials are using discretionary laws (like INA § 237(a)(4)) to justify these actions. This creates a chilling effect—where free expression could cost someone their legal status.

🧠 Stay Aware: Be careful with political content online. Assume consular and USCIS officers may review your public activity. If you’ve been active in protests, seek legal advice.

6. Social Media Tracking by USCIS
In 2025, USCIS has proposed changes to collect social media account handles on immigration forms. This would apply to forms like the green card application (I-485) and naturalization (N-400).

Why it matters:

• Social media vetting will become routine, not just for visa applicants.
• Applicants will need to list every platform and handle used over the past 5 years.
• Officers can use vague standards (like “hostile attitude” or “public safety”) to deny benefits.

While still in the comment period, this rule aligns with past vetting policies and is likely to move forward. It brings immigration monitoring into many spaces online that you use that previously were not scrutinized.

🔐 Digital Safety: Clean up inactive accounts, keep content respectful, and assume anything public can be misinterpreted.

7. Immigration Enforcement Has Intensified
ICE has been given a green light to expand enforcement with many previous protected spaces now open for checking.

Before 2025: 

• Enforcement discouraged at schools, hospitals, churches
• Prioritized criminal offenders
• Arrests mostly targeted undocumented persons
  
  

After January 2025

• No more protections—“common sense” discretion instead
• Now includes visa overstays, political protesters, or "security concerns"
• Green card holders (Legal Permanent Residents or LPRs) and visa holders now also at risk

There are even reports of legal permanent residents (LPRs or green card holders) being detained after protests or social media activity—something previously rare.

🧾 Be Cautious: Keep immigration documents with you, avoid risky situations, and make a safety plan if you are undocumented or facing removal.

8. New DHS Registration (Form G-325R)
A new registration rule requires some noncitizens—mostly undocumented individuals—to file a biometrics form and register with DHS.

Here’s what you should know:

• Applies to those age 14+, in the U.S. for over 30 days, who haven’t already been fingerprinted.
• Exemptions include LPRs, visa holders, asylum applicants, and those with valid I-94s or work permits.
• Failure to register could lead to penalties or enforcement.

This program helps the government build a registry of those not already in the system.

📋 If You’re Affected: Make sure you're aware of your legal category. If you don’t know whether you need to register, check with an attorney.

9. What Iranian Nationals Should Do Right Now
The immigration system is now more uncertain and aggressive than in years past. Here's how to protect yourself:

✅ Before international travel: Check with a lawyer—your visa or green card may not guarantee reentry.
✅ Before posting online: Review your public content and avoid controversial or sensitive statements.
✅ If you served in Sepah/IRGC: Prepare evidence about your service and legal arguments ahead of time.
✅ If applying to USCIS: Submit well-documented, truthful, and complete applications with legal guidance.
✅ If undocumented: Learn your rights, know your options, and avoid high-risk situations.

10. Let Us Help You Stay Safe and Informed
At ImmigraTrust Law, we proudly serve Iranian nationals, families, and students who need help navigating this evolving immigration landscape. Our team understands the cultural, political, and legal challenges that Iranian clients face—and we’re here to advocate for you.

👉 Schedule a free introductory call to discuss your options confidentially. Whether it’s for a visa, adjustment of status, citizenship, or help preparing for travel, we’ll give you trusted, professional guidance.

11. 📌 Recap: Top 10 Issues Iranians Should Know in 2025

• Travel Ban: Monitor policy updates and request expedite processing if possible. 
• Visa Interviews: Prepare early and expect delays in decision-making (the case is likely to be put in administrative processing). 
• Social Media Vetting: Check your public social media posts and consult with an attorney before applying.
• IRGC Service: Legal help required. 
• USCIS Processing: Delays are very likely as they increase scrutiny, but you have rights and do not have to wait for an endless case processing. Consider applying for mandamus lawsuit to get movement in an unreasonably delayed case.
• Border Scrutiny: Travel light and expect questioning.
• Political Activity: Be aware of your rights and post cautiously on social media. Seek legal counsel.
• ICE Enforcement: Keep documents in a safe place and have a plan. Avoid sensitive locations. 
• New DHS Registration: Know if it applies to you. 
• Green Card / Citizenship Applications: Increased scrutiny, more extensive interviews, and expect delays. Consider working with attorney as minor errors will be judged. You have rights -- Use strategies like mandamus lawsuits to get updates in the case and get the final result without waiting for months and months. ​

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Najmeh Mahmoudjafari, Esq.
Najmeh is the Founder and Lead Immigration Attorney at ImmigraTrust Law, an immigration law practice in Orange County, California, representing individual and corporate clients in all 50 U.S. States and internationally. Najmeh can be reached at [email protected].

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DISCLAIMER: This article is for general information purposes only. It is not intended and does not constitute legal advice. This article does not create an attorney/client relationship and does not provide an attorney/client privilege. For legal advice about your specific case, please contact an attorney.