Israel Approves One-Year Temporary Residency for Ramin Parsa, Iranian-Born Christian
Ramin Parsa, an Iranian-born Christian and American citizen who was facing deportation after marrying an Israeli citizen and settling in the country, has finally received approval for a one-year temporary residency permit from Israel. The decision came after U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee directly intervened in the case by sending a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to N12’s report, the permit currently allows Parsa to remain in Israel and has also opened the path for him to apply for permanent residency.
Parsa, who was born in Iran, married his Israeli spouse in 2020 and moved to Israel in 2023. He applied for citizenship in 2024, but his case was referred for humanitarian review due to his birthplace in Iran, which is classified as a hostile country under Israeli law. After approximately 18 months, his application was rejected. The court then asked Israeli authorities to reconsider the case in light of his Israeli spouse and child, but this review also resulted in a rejection in July, leaving the family facing a final legal appeal and the prospect of Parsa’s deportation.
At this point, Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, who according to N12’s report personally knows Parsa and his spouse, sent an official letter to Israel’s prime minister approximately three weeks ago. In the letter, he emphasized Parsa’s activities in support of Israel, his stance against threats from the Islamic Republic, and humanitarian considerations regarding his spouse and child. Parsa’s lawyers also presented the letter as part of the case documentation in the legal proceedings.
Following these interventions, Boaz Yosef, the director general of Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, approved a one-year temporary residency permit for Parsa. This residency will be reviewed again at the end of the period and allows him to pursue an application for permanent residency. As a result, the immediate danger of his deportation and potential separation from his spouse and child has been averted, at least for one year.
In response to the decision, Parsa told N12: “I was born in Iran, a place where Israel is presented as an enemy, but I came to know Israel through its people and my spouse.” He expressed gratitude for Huckabee’s support, his lawyers, and Israeli citizens, saying he hopes his life story serves as a reminder that “one must see the person behind the passport.” Parsa has also emphasized that he wishes to continue his activities in support of Israel.
Prior to this decision, Parsa had told the Jerusalem Post that he faced violence and pressure from childhood in Iran, and after converting to Christianity, he faced further threats. He eventually sought refuge in the United States and obtained American citizenship in 2014. The Jerusalem Post also reported in July that Israel’s Interior Ministry had refrained from commenting on his personal case at that time.
With the issuance of the one-year residency permit, Ramin Parsa’s case has moved past the stage of immediate deportation threat. However, a final decision regarding his long-term or permanent residency has not yet been made, and his status is set to be reviewed again after the temporary residency period expires.
