Iranian Healthcare Workers Zahra and Afshad Face Deportation Amid Legal Changes and Widespread Protest

Zahra Kazemipour, 50, and her husband Afshad Joubeh, 56, are set to be deported from Sweden to Iran after nine years of living and working in the country, a decision driven by a 2023 legislative change that removed their ability to transition to work permits despite having initially received asylum in 2017. The couple fled Iran due to political persecution against Afshad and have since become integral healthcare workers at Södersjukhuset, contributing notably during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their deportation, scheduled for January 8, 2024, has sparked significant backlash from colleagues and the broader Swedish healthcare community. Staff at Södersjukhuset staged a protest condemning the decision as inhumane, unjust, and inconsistent with Swedish values. Overläkare Stephan Serenius described the deportation as "inhumane, inhuman, and undignified," emphasizing that it is unfair to uproot a family that has integrated fully into Swedish society — with two children attending school and the family actively participating in the community.

Anesthesiologist Jacob Broms highlighted the absurdity of deporting highly skilled healthcare professionals, stressing Sweden’s ongoing need for such expertise amid its healthcare challenges. The protesters underscored that despite the couple’s valuable contributions, they are now at risk due to the April 2023 law change that eliminated the possibility of "spårbyte," which previously allowed rejected asylum seekers employed in Sweden to apply for work permits without leaving the country.

Migrationsminister Johan Forssell defended the law change to prevent abuse of the asylum system but acknowledged the difficult position it places on families like Zahra and Afshad who feel they have lived lawfully and contributed positively to Swedish society.

Zahra and Afshad’s case highlights the tension between Sweden’s legal framework and humanitarian considerations, sparking national debate on immigration policies and the value of migrant workers to vital sectors such as healthcare. Their supporters continue to call for reconsideration, emphasizing the human cost and contradictions in deporting such integrated and essential figures.