Siavash Sobhani, a doctor in North Virginia, recently faced a shocking situation. At 61, when he applied for a new passport, he got a letter saying he wasn’t a US citizen anymore. Why? Well, turns out, when he was born, his dad worked for the Iranian Embassy, and that meant he didn’t automatically get US citizenship.
The Big Surprise: Losing Citizenship
The letter explained that if your parents have diplomatic immunity when you’re born in the US, you don’t become a citizen. This was a big surprise for Sobhani, especially since the government had always said he was a citizen each time he renewed his passport.
A Life of Certainty Shattered
For Sobhani, who’s been a doctor for over 30 years, this was a first. He had always been sure about his citizenship, but now, that certainty was gone, raising doubts about what he’d been told all these years.
Retirement Plans on Hold
At 62, Sobhani was thinking about retiring and exploring new places with his wife. But with this citizenship mess, those plans are on hold. Now, he has to follow the government’s instructions and apply for permanent residence, making things more complicated.
Financial Stress and an Uncertain Future
This situation isn’t just emotionally taxing; it’s hitting Sobhani’s wallet hard. He has already spent over $40,000 on legal fees, and there’s no clear timeline for when his case will be sorted. Waiting for an interview and worrying about future steps has him frustrated.
“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?” Sobhani shared his worries with The Washington Post.
Seeking Help from Representatives
Sobhani didn’t sit back; he reached out to his local representatives for help. Gerald Edward Connolly, the representative for Virginia’s 11th congressional district, stepped in, writing to the immigration authorities on Sobhani’s behalf. Now, the doctor’s situation has become a political matter.
A Complicated Future: Challenges Ahead
The road ahead is uncertain for Sobhani. He can’t go back to Iran because he spoke against the government, and there’s no guarantee he’ll get a passport in time for his son’s wedding in Portugal. Visiting his sick father-in-law in Lebanon is also impossible right now.
As Sobhani copes with this “shocking” news, he hopes things will be sorted in six months. But the reality is unclear, leaving his once certain future full of question marks.
