Eleven Iranian Christian converts who faced deportation from the United States earlier this year have been granted a six-month humanitarian visa extension to remain in Panama. This decision comes as a glimmer of hope for the group, including 27-year-old Artemis Ghasemzadeh, who sought refuge from religious persecution in Iran.
Panamanian authorities initially allowed the group a brief 30-day stay, which was later extended to two months. However, with the new extension, they now have until December to secure permanent asylum in a different country, as reported by the International Christian Concern (ICC), a U.S.-based organization that monitors religious persecution globally.
Ghasemzadeh, along with two other Iranian Christian families, is currently residing in a hotel in Panama City. She and her brother Shahin attempted to enter the U.S. illegally from Mexico in late December 2024, seeking asylum from the oppressive regime in Iran. Unfortunately, they were separated shortly after their arrival, with Ghasemzadeh deported to Panama and her brother detained in Houston, awaiting his immigration hearing.
Human rights advocates have raised concerns about the treatment of Ghasemzadeh and her fellow converts during their asylum process. Reports indicate that Ghasemzadeh did not receive a "credible fear" interview, which is typically provided to those seeking asylum, nor was she allowed access to legal counsel before her deportation. This has drawn criticism, especially considering the potential dangers they face if returned to Iran, where conversion from Islam to Christianity can lead to imprisonment or even death.
The plight of these Iranian Christians has garnered attention from various advocacy groups and international religious freedom organizations. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has been actively monitoring their situation, emphasizing the severe risks of persecution they face in their homeland. The global watchdog Open Doors ranks Iran as the ninth-worst country for Christian persecution, highlighting the urgent need for international support.
In response to this situation, ICC submitted an emergency petition signed by over 1,300 individuals to ten Western countries known for accepting religious refugees, including Germany and France. Ghasemzadeh shared her experience, stating, "In Iran, being a Christian when you’re born is OK. But if you’re a Muslim and you convert to Christianity, it’s a problem." This sentiment underscores the dire circumstances faced by converts in Iran, where underground house churches operate covertly to avoid detection.
In a significant development, U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari, the first Iranian American elected to Congress, introduced the Artemis Act, named in honor of Ghasemzadeh. This proposed legislation aims to end the expedited removal of refugees from countries recognized by the U.S. State Department as having severe religious freedom violations. If passed, it would ensure that individuals like Ghasemzadeh have their asylum cases heard in U.S. immigration courts before facing any removal actions.
While Ansari hopes for bipartisan support for the Artemis Act, she acknowledges the challenges posed by the current political landscape. "Artemis Ghasemzadeh was denied the due process afforded to asylum seekers by law, plain and simple," Ansari stated. She emphasized the life-threatening risks Ghasemzadeh would face if returned to Iran, especially as a woman and a Christian convert.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to watch closely, advocating for the rights and safety of those fleeing religious persecution. The story of Ghasemzadeh and her fellow converts serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom and the importance of standing in solidarity with those facing persecution for their beliefs.