Pooya Karemi, a gifted Iranian teenager who overcame homelessness and family hardship to earn a scholarship at Pittsburg State University, now finds his dreams shattered by the latest United States travel ban. Despite publishing scientific papers under dire conditions and receiving admission to study polymer chemistry, Karemi is barred from entering the country due to new restrictions that include no exceptions for admitted students from Iran and eleven other nations.

The policy, signed by President Donald Trump in June, has led to a dramatic decline in student visa approvals and left many young Iranians, like Karemi, facing uncertainty and despair. Karemi's story highlights not only the personal sacrifices made by his family but also the broader impact of geopolitical tensions and domestic repression in Iran, where students risk retaliation for international collaborations.

As the ninety-day review period for the travel ban approaches, Karemi waits in hope, sharing his story to represent countless Iranian youth whose futures are now in jeopardy. The United States administration maintains the ban is necessary for national security, while many affected students voice their struggles anonymously, fearing government reprisal.