"Fibromyalgia, a life companion that you don't want to have": A qualitative study on the impact of receiving a diagnostic label of Fibromyalgia from a patient perspective.

Migration is a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by intertwined social, political, and economic pressures that influence individuals’ decisions to relocate across borders []. The United States has long been a key destination for Iranian immigrants [], though U.S. immigration policy has consistently sparked debate throughout different periods of history []. Among the U.S. immigrant population, Iranians form a distinctive group, with much of the migration driven by Iran’s political upheavals and socioeconomic challenges since the 1979 Islamic Revolution [, ]. This trend has continued, particularly among highly educated individuals seeking stability and opportunity abroad [, ]. The 1979 revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, and ongoing international sanctions marked the beginning of a large-scale Iranian diaspora, increasing the population abroad from an estimated half-million before the revolution to 5.4 million by 2023 [], highlighting a continued pattern of global migration []. Educated Iranians were disproportionately affected by political repression and economic recession, resulting in significant outflows of professionals and intellectuals alienated by Iran’s shifting political environment []. Despite having high educational credentials – only 7% of Iranian migrants lack a high school diploma compared to 26% of the overall U.S. immigrant population [] – these individuals face unique integration challenges, particularly due to diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Iran []. Since the Islamic Revolution, U.S. immigration policies have imposed specific barriers for Iranian immigrants, including restrictive visa policies, prolonged security screenings, and limited consular access []. These restrictions create heightened challenges for highly educated Iranians, whose personal and professional pathways are shaped by the complex U.S.-Iran relationship. Research indicates that restrictive immigration policies targeting specific visa categories can generate unintended stressors, impacting both mental health and socioeconomic mobility [, ]. For example, nationality-specific bans and strict visa protocols, such as the Trump administration’s 2017 travel restrictions, disproportionately affected Iranian nationals and limited their access to opportunities []. These hurdles, driven by ongoing sociopolitical and economic challenges, have contributed to the “brain drain” that Iran continues to experience [].