Articles
Coalition Urges Support for Internet Freedom Legislation Benefiting Iranian Civil Society
On October 4, 2024, a coalition of organizations led by the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) submitted two significant letters to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. These
Making History: Yassamin Ansari Elected to the U.S. Congress
Washington, DC – The votes are in, and history has been made! Yassamin Ansari has won the general election for Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District, becoming the first Iranian American Democrat elected to U.S. Congress and
PAAIA Unveils 2024 National Public Opinion Survey of Iranian Americans
Findings highlight the views and concerns of the Iranian American community on critical issues, including the 2024 presidential election, the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran, and more. The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans
PAAIA Hosts Congressional Briefing & Panel on Internet Freedom in Iran
On September 24th, PAAIA in conjunction with Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY) held a briefing and panel discussion focused on the critical role of Internet Freedom in Iranian civil society and how
PAAIA Welcomes Fall 2024 CHIP Fellow Negar Faily
Washington, DC — PAAIA is excited to announce our Fall 2024 Pezeshkan Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP) fellow, Negar Faily. A senior at Loyola University Chicago, Negar Faily is majoring in Political Science with minors in Business Administration
PAAIA Applauds Introduction of Transnational Repression Reporting Act
Washington, DC — Today, the Iranian American community received critical news of the introduction of the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA). This landmark legislation aims to address the growing
Iran Internet Freedom Act Introduced in the Senate Following the 2nd Anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s Death
Washington, DC — Today, two years after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in Iranian state custody, Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Iran Internet Freedom Act (S.5076) in the Senate.
CHIP Fellow Ariana Ghafouri Reflects on Internship with Rep. Gerry Connolly
Ariana Ghafouri is a junior at Brown University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Decision Sciences. This summer she interned with Congressman Gerry Connolly’s district office. This summer, I had the incredibly rewarding
CHIP Fellow Yasamin Khosh Reflects on Internship with Rep. Maxwell Frost
Yasamin Khosh is a rising junior at Florida State University, pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and Media Communications. This summer, she interned with Congressman Maxwell Frost on Capitol Hill. This summer, I had
CHIP Fellow Lindsey Mazarei Reflects on Internship with Rep. Adam Schiff
A rising sophomore at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Lindsey Mazarei is majoring in Political Science with a concentration in American Politics. This summer, she interned with Congressman Adam Schiff’s district office. This
Ansari Fellow Rooha Hagharmehdiabadi Reflects on Internship with American Gateways
PAAIA’s 2024 Ansari Fellow, Rooha Hagharmehdiabadi, is a law student at the University of Texas School of Law, where she previously earned a B.A. in International Relations and Global Studies. Below, she reflects on her internship
Hasti Sadri Reflects on her Ansari Fellowship Experience with the Brookings Institution
PAAIA’s 2024 Ansari Fellow, Hasti Sadri, is a rising senior and Honors Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill. Sadri is majoring in Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense, with a minor in Conflict Management. Below, she reflects
PAAIA is Hiring a New Director of Civic Engagement and Democracy!
The Position The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) is seeking a Director of Civic Engagement and Democracy. Description The Director of Civic Engagement and Democracy (DCED) plays a key role in educating and
The IRAN Act was Introduced in the House to Support Internet Freedom in Iran
Washington, DC — Today, Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA14) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY24) introduced the IRAN Act (H.R.9299) in the House of Representatives! The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) helped spearhead efforts to address
PAAIA Celebrates Our Third Civic Leaders Summit!
From July 8 – 14, PAAIA hosted our third annual Civic Leaders Summit in Washington, DC! Twenty-one Iranian American high schoolers and counselors came together for a transformative week of learning. The student advocates learned about