An Iranian Christian convert deported from the U.S. while seeking asylum has been granted haven in Canada.
Artemis Ghasemzadeh, who fled Iran, entered the U.S. with her brother in December 2024 and was detained in San Diego. Two months later, she was among 11 Iranian Christians deported to Panama as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to resettle illegal immigrants outside the U.S.
While Panama allowed Ghasemzadeh and the other Christians to remain legally through most of 2025, she pursued asylum in Canada after lawyers advised that the U.S. was unlikely to let her return.
Her deportation drew criticism from religious-freedom groups, who alleged that she was denied a “credible fear” interview and access to counsel. Ghasemzadeh also told International Christian Concern that conversion to Christianity is punishable by imprisonment or death in Iran.
The case prompted Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., to introduce the Artemis Act, which would prohibit the expedited removal of immigrants residing in countries designated by the State Department as a “country of particular concern.” The bill has not yet received a vote in the House.
Ghasemzadeh’s story also caught the attention of Canadian couple Ian and Naomi Elliot, who offered to sponsor her. After a spot opened in Canada’s refugee resettlement program, Ghasemzadeh received asylum and arrived at her new home on Denman Island near Vancouver in July.
