Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has penned a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, imploring the Trump Administration to prioritize and thoroughly vet the asylum claims of Afghan Christian refugees currently residing in the United States. Raffensperger voiced his concern that these individuals face imminent danger if returned to Afghanistan, where Christians face persecution and even execution under Taliban rule.

The plea comes shortly after Easter, a significant event in Christianity, prompting Raffensperger to highlight the precarious situation of these refugees. “Many of these Afghan Christians had risked their lives for religious freedom and democratic values in service of American forces in-country,” Raffensperger stated. “We should make sure we hear their asylum claims before sending them back to a government that is known to persecute Christians.” Raffensperger emphasized the perilous environment for Christians in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, citing reports from organizations like Help the Persecuted and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. These reports detail targeted violence, state-sponsored persecution, and the near-certain threat of execution under the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia law.

“Afghanistan under the Taliban remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians,” Raffensperger stated emphatically. He concluded his letter by reaffirming Georgia’s and the United States’ dedication to defending human rights and religious liberty. “America has long stood as a beacon of hope to the oppressed and a defender of religious freedom. I respectfully request that DHS continue in that tradition in how they treat these Afghan Christian families,” Raffensperger wrote. “Our nation’s moral leadership is defined not just by the policies we enact, but by the people we choose to protect.” He calls for a continued commitment to upholding America’s legacy of providing refuge and protection to those facing persecution.