What is happening in Los Angeles right now is horrifying.

Iranian Christian asylum seekers, who fled religious persecution and came to the U.S. through legal channels, are being rounded up and detained by ICE.

One woman suffered a violent panic attack watching her husband be arrested. Others have gone on hunger strike. Families with court dates already scheduled are being arrested without warning.

These are not criminals. They are people running from tyranny, not bringing it here.

The United States should stand for freedom, fairness, and due process. But instead, we are seeing immigrant communities, especially Iranians, treated with suspicion and cruelty. This feels less like law enforcement and more like political retaliation — a reflection of the rising tensions between the Trump administration and Iran.

We cannot let racism and fear dictate our immigration policy. These families deserve compassion, not cages.

We demand:

• An immediate halt to the detention of Iranian asylum seekers with pending cases
• Transparent review of ICE’s arrest procedures and targeting practices
• Humane treatment and access to medical care for those in custody
• Restoration of due process protections for all asylum seekers

This is not who we are. If we stay silent now, more lives will be shattered. Sign this petition to speak out against injustice — before more families are torn apart.

Photo: NBC Courtesy Ara Torosian