In a recent escalation of US immigration enforcement, Iranian asylum seekers, including Christian converts, are being deported back to Iran, where they face potential persecution, raising alarms about their safety and the consistency of American asylum policies.
One poignant case is that of Majid, who fled Iran after participating in protests and converting to Christianity. After a year in US detention, he was abruptly told to pack up and was shackled for a deportation flight to Nicaragua, despite having been granted protection from removal months earlier. Majid managed to escape in Istanbul, but now lives in hiding, terrified of returning to Iran where he fears imprisonment or worse.
The US arranged a chartered deportation flight to Iran via Qatar in late September, the first such flight in decades due to the lack of diplomatic relations. Dozens of Iranians were on board, many in shackles, and upon arrival in Tehran, they were questioned about their activities in the US, including religious practices. This flight signaled an unusual level of cooperation between the two nations amid ongoing tensions.
For Christian converts from Islam, returning to Iran is particularly perilous. Apostasy is treated as a crime, punishable by imprisonment, torture, or death. Advocacy groups report a sixfold increase in arrests of converts between 2023 and 2024, and authorities have increasingly labeled them as “Zionist Christians,” framing religious practice as a national security threat.
There are concerns about how US authorities assess asylum claims for Iranian converts. Lawyers report that sensitive information, such as details of religious conversion, is sometimes not redacted from deportation files, potentially endangering returnees. This contrasts with the US government’s stance on protecting religious freedoms abroad, as highlighted by President Trump’s comments on Christian persecution in other countries.
The case of Ali’s wife illustrates the risks; she was deported to Iran and has since been summoned by Iranian intelligence. Ali, who remains in the US, fears for her safety and his own if he is forced to return. Their situation underscores the personal toll of these deportations, with families torn apart and individuals living in constant fear.
Even within families, asylum outcomes can vary dramatically. For example, Marjan was granted asylum in the US after being detained with her husband Reza, but Reza was ordered removed to a third country. Their pastor disputes the government’s claim that they were unlawfully present, arguing they entered through a humanitarian program and had work authorizations.
These deportations occur against the backdrop of a broader US crackdown on illegal immigration, a key policy of the Trump administration. While officials state that all deportees have had their claims fully adjudicated, critics point to inconsistencies and the potential for real harm to those with legitimate fears of persecution.
For those like Majid and Ali, the future remains uncertain. They are stuck in legal limbo, unable to work or secure stable housing, while worrying about loved ones in Iran. The situation highlights the complex interplay between immigration enforcement, human rights, and international relations, with no easy resolutions in sight.
