Afghan Christians face grave danger if deported, pastor warns amid end of U.S. protections

DDM News

As the U.S. ends protections for Afghan nationals, concerns grow for Christian converts facing deportation under Taliban rule.

Pastor Behnam Rasooli, known as Pastor Ben, leads Oklahoma Khorasan Church in Oklahoma City, Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports

His church is primarily composed of Afghan Christian refugees who fled religious persecution in Afghanistan.

He warns that deportation could result in death, imprisonment, or sexual enslavement under Taliban authority.

“If deported, husbands will be killed and wives taken as sex slaves,” Pastor Ben told Fox News Digital.

He added that those spared death would be imprisoned and beaten nightly in Taliban custody.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals.

Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Afghanistan’s security situation has improved and the economy is stabilizing.

She said the decision restores TPS to its original, temporary purpose in U.S. immigration policy.

TPS protections for Afghan nationals will expire on May 20 and end completely by July 12.

Over 9,000 Afghans could be affected by the termination of TPS, including legal U.S. entrants.

Pastor Ben shared stories of his congregants’ perilous journeys to reach legal safety in the U.S.

One group included a 76-year-old woman and an infant who waited months in Mexico.

They were eventually allowed entry via the CBP One app but now face deportation.

Pastor Ben said their parole is being revoked and work permits are being denied.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reported rising concern among advocacy groups.

Organizations like Help The Persecuted have petitioned DHS to label Afghanistan a “Country of Particular Concern.”

They argue Christian converts still face systematic persecution by Taliban authorities.

The Taliban criminalizes Christianity, arrests converts, and tortures detainees accused of abandoning Islam.

Pastor Ben’s father, Pastor Basir, once led underground churches in Afghanistan.

He now baptizes new Christian believers at their Oklahoma church sanctuary.

The White House responded to Fox News, defending the administration’s immigration and deportation decisions.

Spokesman Kush Desai said parole was temporary and not a pathway to permanent status.

He said Afghans fearing persecution can apply for asylum through the courts.

Pastor Ben believes the current system is failing people who came legally.

He urges U.S. Christians to advocate for persecuted believers lacking protection or representation.

“We have the freedom; they do not,” he said.

Pastor Ben also directed a message to former President Donald Trump.

He acknowledged Trump’s criticism of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal as “disastrous and incompetent.”

“I support deporting criminals, but not innocent people fleeing death,” Pastor Ben said.

He warned that true refugees could be wrongly deported and face deadly consequences.

“Please, let’s not let this happen to them,” he pleaded.

“Let’s keep the American Dream alive.”

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