Farjam Behnam

State: Virginia
Country of origin: Iran
Arrival in the U.S.: 2008

Farjam Behnam is the Refugee Congress Delegate from Virginia. He was granted asylum in the United States after fleeing Iran in 2008.

In Iran, Behnam was a researcher and editor of the books IranAlmanac and Iran Who’s Who. He also managed a news website and wrote political bulletins that were widely distributed to embassies, universities and companies in Iran. The government considered these political reports to be controversial, and Behnam felt that he was not allowed to write freely about the Iranian government.

Behnam now lives in Virginia and works as an interpreter with Human Rights First, where he helps clients communicate with their attorneys and the courts.

Word for US: Freedom of Expression