As the Trump administration have shifted to ending protections for numerous Afghan nationals, with faith leaders and activists raising concerns about the possible deportations of Christian converts, who according to them, could endure significant persecution from the Taliban regime.
Pastor Behnam Rasooli, also referred to as Pastor Ben, guides the congregation. Oklahoma Khorasan Church In Oklahoma City, there is a congregation mainly made up of Afghan Christian refugees. During an interview with Fox News Digital, he recounted terrifying stories about the risks he claims his Christian community encounters.
"If any of these Afghan Christians Pastor Ben asserted that if people are sent back to Afghanistan, their initial experience would likely involve the husbands being executed, while the wives could be subjected to sexual slavery. He added that alternatively, these individuals might face imprisonment with nightly physical abuse.
The Department of Homeland Security has officially terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS). for Afghan nationals , potentially requiring over 9,000 people to go back to Afghanistan under Taliban control.
EXCLUSIVELY: WITH AFGHAN CHRISTIANS FACING DEPORTATION, RELIGIOUS LEADERS ARE URGING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO RE EVALUATE THEIR DECISIONS
Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem pointed to "enhanced security conditions" and a stabilizing economy as rationale.
"Noem stated that this administration is restoring TPS to its initial temporary purpose. After reviewing the circumstances in Afghanistan with our interagency colleagues, we have determined that these conditions do not fulfill the criteria necessary for a TPS designation," she explained.
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The protection for Afghans is scheduled to end on May 20, with the official termination of the program occurring on July 12.
Noem mentioned that ending this designation is consistent with the administration's larger objective of eliminating fraud and addressing national security risks within the immigration system.
TPS enables individuals from nations experiencing armed conflicts, natural calamities, or other crises to reside and work lawfully within the United States. Former President Joe Biden initially granted TPS status to Afghanistan after the Taliban took control in 2021.
Those facing risks include individuals from Pastor Ben’s congregation who embarked on dangerous trips to arrive in the U.S. through legal means. He shared the tale of a party that reportedly made their way from Brazil to Mexico, featuring a 76-year-old woman and a 7-month-old infant, enduring a ten-month wait in a Mexican church refuge as they sought permission to cross into the U.S. legally using the CBP One application.
For several weeks, they lacked both food and water, yet they remained steadfast in their determination to endure these hardships as they sought lawful entry into the United States," he stated. "However, under the current administration, we learned that these paroles are now being rescinded. Moreover, they aren’t even providing work permits anymore.
Christians in Afghanistan endure regular torture and persecution from their family members, according to watchdog groups.
Fox News Digital contacted the White House regarding the pastor's concerns and was provided with the following statement:
"Alongside its unsuccessful exit from Afghanistan, the Biden administration improperly admitted tens of thousands of Afghan nationals into the U.S. through parole, along with hundreds of thousands of other immigrants. Parole is intended as a short-term measure provided on a case-by-case basis for compelling humanitarian concerns or public advantage; it does not serve as a route to permanent residency or citizenship. Those Afghans who do not qualify under current immigration laws and fear persecution based on protected criteria can seek asylum and allow the judiciary to review their claims," stated White House spokesperson Kush Desai to Fox News Digital.
Groups such as Help The Persecuted have been advocating. have petitioned Nominate Afghanistan for designation as a Country of Particular Concern, and grant Temporary Protected Status to Afghan Christians and minority groups experiencing verified religious or belief-based persecution until their asylum applications can be thoroughly reviewed and resolved.
The petition highlights the Taliban's aggressive persecution of Christians, encompassing arrests at borders, mistreatment during detainment, and the implementation of regulations that criminalize all forms of Christian worship.
Pastor Ben encourages his fellow Christians to join together in support of their oppressed brethren.
He stated, 'They rely on us today to speak for them.' He highlighted how we possess the liberty that they lack, and enjoy all the comforts from which they are deprived. However, what they desire most is simply having the church as an active participant.'
He spoke directly to President Trump as well: "Mr. President, I completely endorse your deportation initiative since we don’t want criminals residing in the U.S., however, we must recognize that within the group you intend to deport, not all individuals are lawbreakers. There are people who could face severe consequences such as death threats, imprisonment, separation from their spouses, or loss of their children."
“Please, let’s ensure this doesn’t happen to them,” said Pastor Ben. “Let’s maintain the American Dream.”
Morgan Phillips from Fox News Digital provided contributions for this report.
Original article source: Afghan Christian pastor pleads with Trump, warns of Taliban revenge after admin revokes refugee protections
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