A former Iranian Army sniper, Ribvar Karimi, is facing possible deportation after being arrested by ICE agents in Alabama, leaving behind his pregnant wife, Morgan Karimi, as the couple pleads for help to keep their family together.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Karimi was one of 11 Iranian nationals taken into custody over the weekend on suspicion of illegal presence in the U.S. The arrests coincided with heightened tensions following military strikes ordered by President Trump against Iran.

The DHS alleges that Karimi served as a sniper in the Iranian Army from 2018 to 2021 and was found with Iranian military ID at the time of his arrest. He is currently being held in ICE custody, pending removal proceedings.

Visa Dispute: “We Followed All the Rules”

Karimi reportedly entered the U.S. legally on a K-1 visa (a visa for the fiancé of a U.S. citizen) in October 2024. By law, couples must marry within 90 days of entry, and the foreign spouse must apply to adjust their status to remain in the country.

But DHS claims Karimi “never adjusted his status,” suggesting he either failed to marry on time or did not apply for permanent residency. His wife disputes this strongly.

“He came to the U.S. LEGALLY on a K-1 fiancé visa. We followed all the rules—got married within the 90-day window just like we were supposed to,” Morgan Karimi wrote in a Facebook post.

The couple had planned to marry on February 22 in Blountsville, Alabama, and Morgan says they did so within the legal timeframe. Now 31 weeks pregnant, she’s fighting to keep her husband in the country and has launched an appeal for financial support to hire an immigration attorney.

A Love Story and a Legal Battle

The Karimis first met online in 2019 while playing Call of Duty Mobile. Their relationship blossomed, and Morgan’s Facebook page now documents their long journey toward marriage and family life, including ultrasound photos, wedding plans, and their immigration paperwork struggles.

Despite his past military service, Morgan says Karimi is deeply committed to the United States:

“There is no one who deserves to be here more than this man. He loves our country,” she wrote, posting a video of him waving an American flag joyfully and wearing clothes with the U.S. flag.

She says she has spoken with her husband from ICE custody, where he expressed concern for her health and their unborn baby.

What’s Next?

The situation raises complex questions about immigration enforcement, visa compliance, and national security protocols—especially for individuals with past foreign military experience. No formal charges related to terrorism or espionage have been reported. Karimi’s immigration status remains the key factor in the DHS case.

Morgan continues to seek public and legal support, stating, “We’ve done everything by the book,” and emphasizing her husband’s desire to build a peaceful life in the U.S.

Karimi’s removal proceedings are ongoing, and his future — and that of his growing family — remains uncertain.