Iranian Christian Asylum Seeker Reza Faces Imminent Deportation After Asylum Denial

Reza's Asylum Case Denied

• 📌 Reza, an Iranian Christian convert from Islam, had his asylum case denied on November 10th, making his deportation to Iran imminent.
• 💔 His wife, Marjan, who is also a Christian convert, was granted asylum after 120 days in a California detention center.
• ❓ Pastor Ara Torosian questions the logic of Marjan being granted asylum due to danger in Iran, while Reza's case is denied.

Concerns Over Deportation to Iran

• ⚠️ If deported, Reza faces severe danger in Iran due to his conversion to Christianity, which is considered a crime for those of Muslim background.
• 🚨 The viral ICE arrest of Reza and Marjan led to Iranian authorities raiding Reza's parents' home, though no Christian materials were found.
• 📈 Iran is noted as one of the top 10 most persecuted countries for Christians globally over the last 20 years, with recent converts facing prison sentences of two to 15 years.

Criticisms of DHS Representative's Knowledge

• 🧐 Pastor Torosian expressed shock at the DHS representative's apparent lack of knowledge regarding the situation for Christian converts in Iran.
• 🗣️ The representative incorrectly stated that Christianity is accepted as a religion in Iran, failing to distinguish between historic Christian ethnic groups and converts from Islam.

Plea for Intervention

• 🙏 Pastor Torosian appeals to US officials, including the President, to allow Reza to be reunited with his wife for Christmas, emphasizing they are not criminals and love America.
• 🇺🇸 He highlights that Reza and Marjan came through the CPB1 program and are not illegal immigrants, making the denial of Reza's asylum particularly baffling.
• 🚪 The pastor notes that many doors are closed for Iranians seeking refuge or legal entry into the US, with very low refugee admission numbers for 2026.

Navigating Deportation Debates

• ⚖️ Pastor Torosian, a former refugee and US citizen, respects the law and agrees with deporting criminals but stresses the unique plight of Iranian Christian refugees.
• 🌍 He argues that American values include being a safe haven for the persecuted and vulnerable, urging the government to open doors for those in dire situations.
• 💡 As Christians, he believes it's important to acknowledge that governments can make mistakes and to advocate for corrections, emphasizing that only Jesus Christ is perfect.