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Siavash Sobhani, a distinguished medical professional and longstanding resident of North Virginia, recently faced a surprising turn of events as he was stripped of his US citizenship at the age of 61.

Born in the United States, Sobhani recounted to The Washington Post his receipt of a letter from the US State Department in February. The communication followed his application for a new passport and asserted that his father, having held a diplomatic position at the Iranian Embassy, rendered him ineligible for citizenship at the time of his birth.

According to the letter, children born in the United States to parents with diplomatic immunity do not automatically attain US citizenship. Sobhani, it stated, enjoyed diplomatic immunity at the time of his birth, leading to the conclusion that he did not acquire citizenship.

Surprisingly, Sobhani, with over thirty years of medical practice, encountered this issue for the first time. Throughout his life, every renewal of his passport involved a verification process by the US State Department confirming his American citizenship.

Recently celebrating his 62nd birthday, Sobhani had contemplated retirement and planned to embark on a year-long global journey with his spouse in search of a new home. However, he is now compelled to apply for lawful permanent residence, adhering to the State Department's guidelines.

Disclosing to The Washington Post, Sobhani revealed incurring legal expenses exceeding $40,000 and expressed uncertainty about the resolution date of his case. "I’m waiting for an interview, but does that mean I wait another year for an interview? Then another three years for the next step? Then another 10 years before I can travel outside of the country?" he questioned.

Sobhani has sought assistance from the senator of Virginia and his congressional representative, citing the ordeal. Congressman Gerald Edward Connolly, representing Virginia’s 11th congressional district, engaged with US Citizenship and Immigration Services on behalf of the physician following Sobhani’s plea.

The future for Siavash Sobhani remains uncertain, further complicated by his outspoken opposition to the Iranian regime, preventing him from safely residing there. Additionally, the timing of obtaining a passport poses challenges, raising concerns about attending his son's wedding in Portugal the following year. Compounding the distress, the physician is unable to visit his gravely ill father-in-law in Lebanon.