Temporary Release of ‘Mohammadi’ Sisters, Iranian Christian Citizens in America

The ‘Mohammadi’ sisters, Iranian Christian citizens in America, have been temporarily released; however, concerns about their fate and that of other Christian asylum seekers remain, should they be deported to Iran.

Two Iranian Christian sisters who were arrested last month by U.S. immigration officials on charges of what was termed “illegal residence” have been temporarily released after approximately one month in detention. The release of these two asylum seekers comes while their refugee status review process remains ongoing and their future residence in America remains uncertain.

Mahan Mohammadi, 38, and Mejan Mohammadi, 31, entered the United States in 2022 and formally filed their asylum requests. However, in December 2025, they were arrested in the U.S. Virgin Islands by officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Their arrest sparked concerns among church activists and refugee rights advocates.

Ultimately, a federal judge on January 16th approved their attorney’s request for temporary release. According to the Episcopal News Service (ENS), Mejan was released from detention one day after the court ruling and Mahan approximately one week later, allowing them to pursue their legal proceedings outside of detention.

Parasto Zahedi, the attorney for the two sisters, has rejected the illegal residence charge and emphasized that her clients filed for asylum in accordance with U.S. law. She stated that according to standard procedures, asylum seekers whose cases are under review should not be detained or subject to immediate deportation.

Mahan and Mejan Mohammadi are active members of the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Virginia. During their detention, church members played a significant role in supporting the two sisters through court appearances, organizing support rallies, and raising public awareness. Fran Gardnersmith, the church’s pastor, announced after their release that the two sisters “did nothing wrong” and described their detention as an example of unjust treatment of asylum seekers.

The detention of these two Iranian asylum seekers occurred within the framework of strict immigration policies that have been implemented in recent years, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency, against migrants and asylum seekers (including Iranian citizens). In initial statements, U.S. Border Patrol used harsh language to describe the two sisters as “illegal foreign nationals” and announced the pursuit of their deportation proceedings; a matter that provoked sharp reactions from defense attorneys and church organizations.

The case of Mahan and Mejan Mohammadi is just one example of the concerning situation of Iranian Christian asylum seekers in the United States. In recent years, multiple reports have emerged of arrests, prolonged detention, and even deportations of Iranian Christians; many of whom previously faced threats, arrest, and heavy sentences in Iran due to religious conversion.

Human rights activists and church leaders have warned that deporting Christian asylum seekers to Iran, particularly given the current conditions in that country, could have irreversible consequences. Iran remains one of the countries where religious freedom is severely restricted, and Christian citizens face the danger of arrest, torture, lengthy prison sentences, and even threats to their lives.

According to observers, returning such individuals not only violates international obligations toward asylum seekers but could directly expose them to the risk of death.

Currently, the release of Mahan and Mejan Mohammadi is considered only a temporary measure and the final outcome of their asylum case remains uncertain. Nevertheless, supporters of the two sisters have expressed hope that U.S. immigration courts, taking into account the real dangers of returning to Iran and Iran’s current situation, will support their right to receive asylum.