ICE Arrests Iranian Christians at Los Angeles Church
ICE agents reportedly arrested Iranian Christians at a church in Los Angeles, California, including a couple seeking asylum, according to a pastor. Pastor Ara Torosian of Cornerstone Church in West LA spoke out against the arrest, which included 5 members of his congregation. Among those arrested were a husband, wife, and their 3-year-old daughter.
According to Torosian, the arrests were traumatic for him because they reminded him of the religious persecution he faced growing up in Iran, which he later fled the country and is now a U.S. citizen.
The pastor also shared how a woman, identified only as Marjan, called him on video the moment federal agents arrested her and her husband. She reportedly suffered a panic attack when her husband was being taken away and was hospitalized at the UCLA Medical Center.
"She's sick, she's bad, call 911!" Torosian is heard shouting in the video.
Per KABC, Federal agents denied the pastor and others entry to the hospital room where the woman was being held when they asked to pray for her.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the arrest of the couple, describing them as "two Iranian nationals unlawfully present in the U.S. — both flagged as subjects of national security interest," according to Fox11.
According to Fox11, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the arrest of the couple, identifying them as "two Iranian nationals illegally residing in the U.S." and noting that both were flagged as individuals of national security concern.
DHS said in a statement posted to social media, "When one experienced a medical emergency, agents immediately contacted EMS and escorted her to the hospital. …The female has since been discharged, and both individuals are now in ERO custody."
When Torosian asked if they had a warrant for the couple's arrest at the scene, the federal agents said they said yes but were unable to show them any documentation.
Torosian explained that the couple had Social Security numbers, work permits, no criminal records, and had been attending his church for over a year.
"In one moment, I felt that I'm in the street of Tehran, under fear, under dictatorship. They came here for freedom, not like this," he told NBC Los Angeles regarding the incident.
He added that Marjan and her husband fled Iran due to their Christian faith and did not have relatives in Los Angeles. "They are asylum seekers," he said, adding that the couple had entered the U.S. through the CBP One process.
The agents, however, claimed that the couple's status was "no longer valid", according to Torosian.
In the video of the arrests, Torosian is heard confronting agents, saying, "You all guys came for one person?"
"There's an army here," he added and asked, "Have you read the news what's happened in Iran for women? They came here for freedom, not like this."
Despite asking agents to let him accompany the detained individuals, an officer told the pastor, "You can stay there, and you can record, but you can't go with us."
"You're so cruel," he told them. "I know you're just doing your job, but shame on you. Shame on this government."
As a result of the arrests, Torosian canceled Sunday services out of an abundance of caution for his congregation.
"I will miss them, and hopefully, I can hug them and love them and preach for them again."
Although Torosian is attempting to forgive the agents involved in the arrests, he continues to be disturbed by the government's actions.
WATCH: LA Pastor Says ICE Detained Iranian Christians Who Fled Persecution | FOX 11 LA
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/petekarici
Originally published June 30, 2025.
