Ansari Celebrates Asylum of Artemis Ghasemzadeh, Iranian Christian convert deported to Panama by Trump Admin

Artemis Ghasemzadeh fled the Islamic Republic of Iran due to religious persecution; was denied asylum in the U.S. WASHINGTON – Today, the New York Times reported that Artemis Ghasemzadeh, an Iranian Christian convert who was deported to Panama by the Trump Administration after seeking asylum in the United States, had been granted asylum in Canada. Last May, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) introduced the Artemis Act , legislation to protect due process by preventing individuals from facing expedited removal from the U.S. if they are nationals of or would be deported to countries designated by the State Department as engaging in severe violations of religious freedom. The bill was named for Ghasemzadeh. “The very small part my team and I played in today’s news is one of the most moving changes I’ve been humbled to be a part of in my entire career in public service; I am relieved, elated, hopeful, and moved by the kindness of the human spirit and the courage of Artemis,” said Rep. Ansari. “But none of this should have happened in the first place. Artemis was denied the due process afforded to asylum seekers by law, and returning to the Islamic Republic of Iran would have meant immediate, and likely deadly, danger for her, both as a woman and a Christian convert. My hope is that Artemis’ story, and our legislation, helps ensures that the nightmare she endured never happens to anyone else.” Today’s Times’ reporting reads, in part, “In May 2025, Representative Yassamin Ansari, a Democrat from Arizona who is Iranian American, introduced legislation in Congress called the Artemis Act. The bill sought to prohibit the expedited removal of individuals fleeing countries that the State Department says persecute religious minorities and to ensure they have the chance to claim asylum in a U.S. immigration court. The legislation had widespread support from Democrats but faced opposition from Republicans, who hold the majority in the House.” Last year, Ms. Ghasemzadeh, who speaks fluent English, was not given the required “credible fear” interview offered to those seeking asylum. She was denied access to counsel, separated from her brother with whom she immigrated, told she was being moved to Texas from California, and instead put on a military aircraft to Panama. “As a Christian convert fleeing danger, I trusted the United States would embrace me, offering safety to practice my faith freely,” said Ms. Ghasemzadeh last year. “Despite warnings, I arrived, confident in America’s welcome. But being sent to Panama without a chance to plead my case shattered my dream of America. I hope one day it will again be a sanctuary for those seeking religious freedom.” WATCH Ansari and Ms. Ghasemzadeh on a video call HERE . View text of the legislation HERE . Additionally, Ansari led a number of her colleagues in sending a letter to then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem requiring clarifications on DHS policies on due process, protection for vulnerable groups, agreements with third-party countries taking U.S. deportees, and human rights considerations. This followed her April 2025 trip to El Salvador, in which she attempted to check on the welfare and status of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland resident who was deported by the Trump Administration without due process. The letter was signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20). Support for the letter : “Deporting immigrants, including Asian immigrants, to countries other than their own without due process is outrageous and unlawful,” said Martin Kim, Director of Immigration Advocacy at Asian Americans Advancing Justice. “These deportations to countries like Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Libya, which in some cases occurred despite court orders explicitly forbidding them, should be concerning to everyone, not just the immigrant community. We thank Rep. Ansari and her colleagues for demanding answers about this practice from the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump Administration.” “The most fundamental principle of international refugee law, established in the aftermath of the world’s failures during the Holocaust, is that countries must not send people to countries where they risk persecution,” said Noah Gottschalk, VP of International Policy & Advocacy at Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. “We must ensure that this principle is not violated today.” “Stop AAPI Hate condemns the Trump administration's reckless deportations of vulnerable migrants - including children, pregnant women, and religious minorities - to third countries where they face serious threats to their safety, dignity, and human rights,” said Stop AAPI Hate. “As members of communities that have experienced displacement and persecution, we know the devastating cost of being abandoned. The U.S. must not repeat those mistakes. We thank Congresswoman Ansari and her colleagues for leading this important oversight effort to seek transparency on these harmful, dehumanizing policies.” View the full letter HERE and below: Dear Secretary Noem, We write to express our deep concern regarding recent reports of U.S. deportations involving immigrants being sent to third countries, such as El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama, especially those from countries where they face significant risks of persecution, exploitation, or other harm. Given the gravity of these reports, we respectfully request clarification on the policies and practices of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that U.S. actions align our obligations under U.S. and international law. Legal and Human Rights Considerations 1. How many individuals have been deported by the U.S. government to third countries since January 20, 2025? To what third countries have they been deported? What are the deported individuals’ countries of origin? 2. What criteria was used to identify individuals for deportation to third countries such as El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama? 3. Did Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provide the deported individuals with meaningful opportunities to claim asylum or other forms of humanitarian relief before deportation? What protocols were followed to ensure compliance with US and international law? 4. Given recent reports that Panama has released some of the detained migrants with temporary humanitarian permits, what steps is DHS taking to ensure that these individuals are not placed in further danger? [1] Has DHS engaged in any discussions with Panamanian officials regarding their legal status and protection moving forward? 5. How does this practice of deporting immigrants on flights to third countries in Central America align with the United States’ obligations under domestic and international human rights law, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the U.S. from returning individuals to places where they may face harm, and indirect non- refoulement, which prohibits the U.S. from putting individuals at risk through removal to a third country? 6. What assurances does DHS have that Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, or any other third country with which deportation agreements exist, meet the standard in U.S. law for a “safe third country” and are able to provide access to a full and fair procedure for adjudicating an asylum claim or other humanitarian protection? 7. The New York Times reports that individuals deported to Panama include children and women fleeing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and Christian converts fleeing the Islamic Republic of Iran. [2] Given that deportees face risks such as arbitrary detention, persecution, or even death in their home countries, what assurances can DHS provide that they will not be sent back to face certain danger? Due Process and Protection for Vulnerable Groups 1. How many of the individuals deported on the flights since January 20, 2025, were children? Were any of the children unaccompanied minors? Were any of the children separated from their family members before, during, or after their deportation to a third country? Were any of these children undergoing medical treatments in the United States, such as for cancer? 2. How many of the individuals were pregnant women or individuals suffering from serious health issues? What is being done to ensure that these individuals receive adequate care after being deported? 3. What safeguards are in place to prevent deportations that may expose children and other vulnerable individuals to physical danger, trafficking, or exploitation? International Cooperation and Agreements 1. What agreements, if any, exist between DHS and the governments of El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama or any other third countries regarding the deportation or reception of Immigrants? 2. Does DHS intend to continue this deportation practice to third countries? If so, what measures will be implemented to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of affected individuals? Thank you for your attention to this important issue. We look forward to your prompt and thorough response to these critical questions. Follow @RepYassAnsari on all social media platforms and visit Ansari.House.gov to learn more. ### Print Email Share