A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION Vol. 144, Issue 7
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Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Psychology professor detained by ICE over spring break Adjunct professor Maryam Tahmasebi arrested with family after green card revoked By James Mondares Reporter
care,” Aguiar said. Chicano studies lecturer Stephanie Lemus said the situation raises concerns n Saturday, April 11, about academic freedom. 2026 psychology “We’ve seen in the last professor Maryam year with this current Tahmasebi was arrested administration that faculty and detained alongside have been silenced and her husband and son after targeted for many different the federal government reasons, and so this is very revoked her green card dangerous for academic citing national security and freedom,” Lemus said. “It’s foreign policy concerns. dangerous, as we’ve seen in Academic Senate President other examples, for freedom Margarita Pillado brought of speech.” the news to the most Lemus also questioned recent Academic the broader impact on Senate meeting on Monday, April 13, “It’s a very upsetting situation, and I feel it education. in Building 600. on a personal level because I was hoping “So when we talk about an equitable “To our knowledge to really see her today.” education for students, and public records, is it equitable that she has done Jess Tlatenchi we’re limiting the types nothing wrong as Psychology Major of ideas and events a citizen or as a that we can talk about, scholar,” Pillado critique and analyze?” said. “There is no Lemus said. criminal action, no Students in Tahmasebi’s violation of her professional decade and were permanent Introduction to Psychology obligations or her conduct residents.” Pierce College President class received an email as a citizen.” Pillado was nearly brought Ara Aguiar said substitute Tuesday morning stating she have been would not be coming to class to tears delivering the news instructors to cover and that a substitute instructor to the rest of the Senate. She assigned would be assigned. The email said the information was Tahmasebi’s classes. learned through established “I can share that we have did not provide additional media outlets and that the taken steps to ensure information regarding her continuity, absence. Senate can do nothing other academic assigning Psychology major Jess than express concern over including substitute instructors to the Tlatenchi said she was the lack of due process. “I know that our union affected classes. Our focus saddened to hear about is working to assist will remain on supporting Tahmasebi’s detention by within the framework of our campus community and ICE. responsibility,” Pillado said. maintaining a stable learning “I’m very upset about it. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard Academic Senate Secretary environment,” Aguiar said. and Psychology Department Aguiar also said the college of people being detained by Chair Jennifer Moses is staying updated on the ICE,” Tlatenchi said. “It’s a very upsetting situation, and described Tahmasebi as situation. a valued member of the “The college is in direct I feel it on a personal level communication with the because I was hoping to department. “Tahmasebi has taught district, which includes really see her today. I actually psychology for many general counsel and our had no idea about what years,” Moses said. “She deputy chancellor, and is happened.” has always had excellent approaching this matter with
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Lesa Greenfield / Roundup News Pierce College Academic Senate President Margarita Pillado spoke to attendees at an Academic Senate meeting in Building 600 at Pierce College on Monday, April 13, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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evaluations. She was our adjunct professor of the year last year. She is an active and quality member of our department.” Moses also raised concerns following the incident. “I think it’s important in a democracy that all actions taken by the government go through due process,” Moses said. “For Dr. Tahmasebi, there is no indication of any wrongdoing on her part or on the part of her husband. They’ve lived here for over a
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