Health Impacts of Migration and Policy on the Iranian Diaspora

Background Migration is shaped by a complex interplay of political, economic, and social factors that drive individuals to seek stability and better prospects abroad. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has witnessed significant emigration of its highly educated population, driven by political instability, economic challenges, and restrictive societal norms. This study explores the push and pull factors of migration for highly educated immigrants and the impact of U.S. immigration policies as social determinants of health for this population.

Method This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach to examine the lived experiences of 40 highly educated Iranian immigrants in the U.S., focusing on migration motivations and how migration policies have shaped their personal and professional lives. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews in English via Zoom across two phases (2023 and 2024). Participants were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling methods. Interviews were audio recorded and averaged 43 minutes in length (range: 25–75 minutes). Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. To enhance the rigor of the study, negative case analysis and member checking were also employed.

Results The study sample consisted of 40 highly educated Iranian immigrants, with a slight majority identifying as female (52.5%, n = 21) and the remainder as male (47.5%, n = 19). Participants ranged in age from 28 to 36 years, with a mean age of 32.7. On average, they had resided in the U.S. for 7.2 years, with durations ranging from 2 to 18 years. All participants had initially entered the U.S. on F-1 student visas, and the majority (72.5%, n = 29) were admitted on single-entry visas. Although most participants held advanced degrees—72.5% were pursuing or had completed doctoral studies—they encountered barriers that constrained their integration.

Three major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Push and pull factors of migration for the largest Iranian diaspora; (2) Emotional Burden of navigating the complexities of nationality-based immigration policies; and (3) Financial distress linked to sanctions and currency depreciation. As part of the first theme, participants described educational and professional opportunities in the U.S. as pull factors, while political and economic instability in Iran, along with gender-specific barriers and restrictive societal expectations, were mentioned as push factors, particularly for women. The second theme highlighted the emotional burden of navigating nationality-based immigration policies, especially as they related to prolonged family separation and uncertainty about legal status. The third theme centered on financial distress, which was closely linked to international sanctions and the devaluation of the Iranian currency.

Conclusions and Implications. The findings highlight the challenges of navigating a restrictive and nationality-based immigration system while illustrating the participants’ resilience. Social workers should be aware of the emotional burden caused by restrictive immigration policies among diverse groups, including highly educated immigrants, to be able to engage effectively in policy advocacy.