Urgent Call to Action as Afghan Christians Face Deportation Amid Growing Persecution

Urgent Action Needed: Faith leaders are imploring President Donald Trump to intervene and halt the deportation of Afghan Christians who risk torture or even death if returned to their homeland.

During Holy Week, thousands of concerned Christians gathered across the United States, advocating for the protection of Afghan refugees facing imminent threats under Taliban rule. Their rallying cry is a call for compassion and justice in what they see as a critical moment for vulnerable believers.

On April 10, the Department of Homeland Security announced a significant policy shift, terminating humanitarian parole for Afghan nationals. This decision effectively mandates the departure of thousands of individuals from the U.S. in a matter of days.

Initial reporting mischaracterized this change as the end of temporary protected status; however, internal communications from the DHS clarified that the affected individuals were operating under humanitarian parole, a distinction that has now been acknowledged in subsequent advocacy group memos.

The recent policy shift impacts approximately 9,000 Afghans currently residing lawfully in the U.S. while awaiting special immigrant visas or asylum hearings.

Among these individuals are hundreds of Afghan Christians, many of whom converted to Christianity after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in 2021. Advocates warn that these individuals face immediate threats from the Taliban.

According to a coalition memo, many of these believers could face persecution upon their return. The memo expresses particular concern for hundreds of Christians who are deemed at imminent risk of severe harm.

This communication was directed to key figures including President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The memo urges a temporary 90-day moratorium on deportations to allow for the establishment of legal protections and pathways to safety.

To address the urgent crisis, the proposal includes the creation of a vetted and qualified exemptions list aimed at recognizing at-risk Christians. This list is intended to assist DHS in reinstating protections or accelerating asylum and special immigrant visa review processes.

One notable case involves an Afghan Christian, using the alias Nashinas, who suffered torture at the hands of the Taliban in 2021. He was later resettled in Raleigh, North Carolina, but has now received a formal notice from DHS mandating his departure, despite having filed for asylum.

The recent announcement about the termination of humanitarian parole, coinciding with Holy Week, has ignited a wave of activism among Christian leaders both nationally and internationally.

The Enduring Hope Alliance, a coalition formed in the wake of the 2021 withdrawal, has emphasized that this decision extends beyond legal ramifications; it raises moral questions regarding the treatment of fellow believers enduring real persecution.

Having mobilized to rescue over a thousand Christians and allies of the U.S. military, the EHA reported significant expenditures from private donations and countless volunteer hours dedicated to the cause of providing safety for persecuted individuals.

A source within the coalition reiterated the need for compassion from the administration, stating that they are not advocating for open borders but rather seeking a narrow, temporary solution to save lives that are indisputably at risk.

The tragic suicide bombing at Kabul’s Abbey Gate in 2021, which resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, underscores the lasting repercussions of the withdrawal. Faith leaders view the current situation as an opportunity for the Trump administration to address one of the most significant fallout from the decision to leave Afghanistan—forsaking persecuted Christians.

Mike Mannina, a former official in the Bush White House, described the Afghanistan withdrawal as a troubling chapter in American foreign policy. Yet he highlighted the response from ordinary Americans who rallied to save lives as a testament of hope.

In an exclusive conversation with Fox News Digital, Rev. Franklin Graham, head of Samaritan’s Purse, expressed cautious optimism about the possibility for resolution. He mentioned that there may be more time for the administration to address these critical visa issues.

Despite hearing rumors of impending deportations, he noted indications that the government might extend its time frame for resolving the situation until July, allowing for potential changes.

However, reports indicate that multiple Afghan Christians have been handed notices requiring them to leave the country within a week.

Independent watchdog organizations, including the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and Human Rights Watch, have affirmed that Afghan Christians remain specifically targeted under Taliban rule, where conversion from Islam is condemned and punishable by death.

Advocates contend that sending these vulnerable individuals back would clash with American values and international legal standards that prohibit returning individuals to places where they face likely torture or death.

Josh Youssef, founder of Help The Persecuted, emphasized that this moment represents a crucial opportunity for President Trump to address a harmful legacy of the disorganized U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He stated that there should be precision in the approach to protect those genuinely at risk, advocating for a tailored strategy instead of a sweeping policy that could jeopardize lives.

As Good Friday approaches, Youssef voiced the moral imperative of ensuring that no Christian is sent back to a nation where they could face dire consequences for their faith. The appeal is for the President to act swiftly in rectifying this pressing humanitarian crisis.

DHS has not provided a public response regarding the ongoing situation or the future of the Afghan Christians currently facing deportation.