There is no indication the University of Alabama student detained this week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was involved in any pro-Palestinian protests or criminal activity.

However, the Department of Homeland Security told CBS42 on Thursday that Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral student from Iran studying mechanical engineering, “posed significant national security concerns.”

DHS did not provide any specific information regarding what Doroudi may have done or was charged with. Efforts by AL.com to reach DHS have not been successful.

Douroudi attorney David Rozas told The Associated Press he was not aware of his client being involved in protests or criminal activity.

“With the words of his fiancé, he is a nerd. All he does is study and is literally trying to fulfill his dream, the American dream, of becoming a researcher and professor of mechanical engineering,” Rozas told AP.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala, told the nonprofit news agency NOTUS that he supported the Trump administration despite not knowing about Doroudi’s arrest.

“If they’re doing something wrong everybody should be arrested,” Tuberville told the outlet. Efforts by AL.com to reach Tuberville were not successful.

Aside from Tuberville, none of Alabama’s congressional officials publicly commented on Doroudi’s detainment as of Thursday.

“You can [either] break the law or go with the law. If they break the law, let’s put them in jail.” Tuberville said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asked Thursday about the detention of of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, issued a warning that more international students would be arrested, deported and have their visa revoked if they are found to be causing a “ruckus.”

According to Rubio, about 300 students have already had their visas revoked.

Video depicts Ozturk being surrounded by plain-clothed immigration agents as she is arrested and taken away in Somerville, Massachusetts on Tuesday.

Ozturk is currently at a detention facility in Louisiana, despite a judge barring her transfer from Massachusetts without proper notice.

Rubio said the visas of other students are being taken away because they are “destabilizing” and being disruptive on college campuses.

“Why would any country in the world allow people to come and disrupt,” Rubio said.

“We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses…We’re just not going to have it, so we’ll revoke your visa. And once your visa is revoked, you’re illegally in the country and you have to leave.”

The Trump administration’s targeting of international students is due to their participation in campus protests or criticisms of Israel last year during the war in Gaza.

A Department of Homeland Security official alleged that Ozturk acted in, “support of Hamas,” but no evidence was provided to support the claim.

Ozturk co-authored an op-ed in March 2024 in support of Palestine and divestment from Israel.

Critics have argued that the targeting of students who have been critical of a foreign government are attacks on First Amendment rights to free speech.

Doroudi was being held at Pickens County Jail in Alabama for transport to an immigration facility in Jena, Louisiana. As of Thursday Doroudi has not been formally charged with any crime, according to court records.

Doroudi’s only offense while in America was for speeding in Tuscaloosa County two years ago.

A GoFundMe has been created by Doroudi’s apparent fiancé to assist with his legal expenses. As of Thursday night, more than $13,000 have been raised out of a $15,000 goal.