Fivefold Increase in Resettlement of Iranian Christian Refugees in America

“Open Doors” and “World Relief,” reported a fivefold increase in the resettlement of Iranian Christian refugees in the United States.

Two global Christian organizations, “Open Doors” and “World Relief,” which are respectively a human rights advocate for persecuted Christians and a charitable organization, released a report showing an increase in the acceptance of Iranian Christian refugees by the United States through September 2024. The report demonstrates that compared to September 2020, this acceptance has increased fivefold.

Refugee resettlement refers to the selection and transfer of refugees from a country where they have sought protection and who are accepted by a third country as refugees with permanent residence status.

This resettlement in the current year shows a 4 percent increase compared to 2020, when only 54 Iranian Christian refugees received resettlement in America. However, according to reports published by authors who wrote about it under the title “The Golden Door,” there is no guarantee that this process will continue.

The aforementioned organizations, by publishing a report in 2020 titled “Closed Doors,” warned of a severe decline in the entry of persecuted Christian refugees to America and stated that this issue could endanger the lives of Christian refugees and asylum seekers, and American Christians should not remain silent in the face of this. The aforementioned report also referenced a 97 percent reduction in the acceptance of Iranian Christian refugees, which represented the largest decline among refugees from various countries.

The new 24-page report prepared and released by these organizations refers to the U.S. State Department’s refugee support program titled “Welcomes Corps” or “Reception Corps,” which could be one of the reasons for the increase in the acceptance of Iranian refugees.

The authors of these reports, while noting that challenges continue to exist in assisting refugees, add: “In some host countries such as Turkey, the U.S. government’s ability to interview and process refugees in these countries is limited, which prevents these individuals from qualifying for resettlement support.”

Based on the new U.S. State Department program called “Welcomes Corps” or “Reception Corps,” which was referenced in December 2022, they announced: “American groups consisting of at least five members are expected to raise a minimum of $2,275 per refugee under their sponsorship. This financial assistance is for providing housing and other basic needs for refugees during their first three months in America.”

The report also states that American citizens and those with permanent residence can form groups to support refugees. After these groups are formed, the background of those individuals who are willing to help refugees is examined. Additionally, they must also submit their support plan.

The two aforementioned global Christian organizations that released these reports referenced in their report an Iranian woman named “Susan” who was eventually resettled in America after 12 years of living as a refugee in Indonesia.

The aforementioned organizations also referred in their reports to governments including Iran, North Korea, China, and Eritrea that oppress Christians and subject them to severe persecution, such that out of every 7 Christians, one faces threats, harassment, abuse, and discrimination.