Christians across the Middle East have been the victims of increasingly violent and direct persecution for their faith at the hands of Islamic extremist groups like ISIS as well as authoritarian regimes in Iran and elsewhere. The result has been many fleeing the region or living under situations absent of fundamental rights. We have both the tools and the obligation to stand with those facing persecution and cannot continue to turn a blind eye to their suffering.
We urge this Administration to take concrete steps and make an official recognition of Christian persecution around the world. The Administration must extend protections to Christian asylum seekers both for their safety and for the enrichment of the American way of life.