North Carolina Church Advocates for Afghan Christians Facing Deportation

Afghan Christians in North Carolina Face Uncertain Future Amid Deportation Concerns

In North Carolina, a group of Afghan Christian refugees faces the threat of deportation, a situation that has sparked concern among local advocates who argue that returning to Afghanistan could be perilous. Despite the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s announcement to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan, Julie Tisdale, a seminary student at the Church of the Apostles in Raleigh, is striving to secure their stay.

Julie Tisdale has voiced her frustration with the Trump administration’s stance on deporting Afghan Christians. She criticized the administration’s decision to end TPS, effective July 14, citing the administration’s claim that conditions in Afghanistan have improved.

Two months prior, Tisdale penned an op-ed highlighting the plight of these refugees, who had been given just a week to leave the U.S.

In the face of this challenge, Tisdale and her church have reached out to lawmakers to garner support for the Afghan Christians. “We are continuing to try to reach out to senators and congressmen and other people who may know, have contacts … in the administration,” she told CP. Although there is sympathy, she lamented the absence of a dedicated advocate willing to champion their cause publicly.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated in a statement that Afghanistan’s security and economy have stabilized, negating the need for TPS. However, Tisdale contends that the real danger lies in the religious persecution of Christians by the Taliban, which has intensified since the group assumed power.

Open Doors ranks Afghanistan as the 10th most dangerous country for Christians, citing severe restrictions and the threat of death for converts under Islamic law. Tisdale relays chilling accounts from refugees who have previously faced torture for their faith and fears that returning them to Afghanistan would be a death sentence.

The Afghan Christians are in various stages of seeking asylum or appealing rulings. Tisdale explains, “All of them continue to take the next steps in the legal process to try to get their status secured so that they do not face a threat of deportation.”

The church is actively supporting these refugees, providing legal assistance and financial help where possible. “Lawyers are very expensive,” Tisdale noted, emphasizing the church’s effort to ensure adequate legal representation.

Franklin Graham, leader of Samaritan’s Purse, has also engaged with lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, to address this issue. Franklin Graham remains hopeful that the cases will be reviewed and resolved favorably, noting that discussions are ongoing at high levels in Washington.