An Afghan Christian pastor has reached out to former President Trump, expressing concerns about potential retaliation from the Taliban after the Trump administration ended refugee protections for many Afghans. He warns that the lives of Afghan Christians are in jeopardy if they are forced to return to a regime known for its harsh persecution.
Pastor Ben, who leads the Oklahoma Khorasan Church —a community primarily made up of Afghan Christian refugees—shared alarming details about the threats his congregation faces. He stated, “If any Afghan Christians are sent back to Afghanistan, the immediate consequence will be the execution of husbands and the abduction of wives as sex slaves. If they escape death, they will be imprisoned and subjected to nightly beatings.”
Related posts
The Department of Homeland Security has officially terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals, which could compel over 9,000 individuals to return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Pastor Basir, Ben’s father and a former underground church leader in Afghanistan, conducts baptisms for new believers at their church, which serves families fleeing persecution by the Taliban.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem justified this decision by citing an “improved security situation” and a recovering economy in Afghanistan. She remarked, “This administration is restoring TPS to its intended temporary nature. Our review of conditions in Afghanistan indicates they no longer warrant TPS status.”
The TPS designation for Afghans will expire on May 20, with the program ending formally on July 12. Noem also mentioned that the termination of TPS aligns with the administration’s broader efforts to eliminate fraud and national security risks within the immigration system.
TPS enables individuals from countries experiencing conflict, natural disasters, or emergencies to live and work legally in the U.S. The previous administration under President Biden had initially granted TPS to Afghans following the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021.
Among those at risk are members of Pastor Ben’s church, many of whom undertook dangerous journeys to reach the United States legally. He recounted a story of a group that traveled from Brazil through Mexico, including a 76-year-old woman and a 7-month-old infant, who waited ten months in a Mexican church for permission to cross the border using the CBP One app. “They faced weeks without food or water but were determined to reach the U.S. legally,” he noted. “Now, under this new administration, we’re hearing that their legal status is being revoked and work permits are being denied.”
Various advocacy groups have urged Secretary Noem to classify Afghanistan as a Country of Particular Concern and allow Afghan Christians and minorities facing documented persecution based on their faith to retain TPS while their asylum applications are processed.
The petition highlights the Taliban’s active oppression of Christians, including arrests at border crossings and torture, alongside laws making any form of Christianity illegal.
During a Sunday service at the Khorasan Church, Afghan refugees—including recent Christian converts—worshiped together despite facing deportation threats due to their past experiences with Taliban persecution.
Pastor Ben calls on other Christians to support their oppressed brethren. “They need our voice now more than ever,” he emphasized. “We enjoy freedoms they do not have; we live in comfort while they suffer. All they ask is for the church to advocate for them.”
Addressing Trump directly, he remarked: “Mr. President, I support your stance on deporting criminals living in the U.S., but we must recognize that among those slated for deportation are individuals who are not criminals—people whose lives are at stake, who risk losing their families.”
“Let us prevent this tragedy from unfolding,” Pastor Ben implored. “Let’s preserve the American Dream for everyone.”
