Pastor Speaks on ICE Arrest of Iranian Christians
A pastor reported that an Iranian Christian was arrested by ICE agents at a church in Los Angeles, California. Pastor Ala Torrosian, of Cornerstone Church in West Los Angeles, expressed his distress about this incident, which involved the arrest of five people from his congregation, including couples and a young child.
Torrosian found the situation particularly unsettling, as it reminded him of the religious persecution he experienced while growing up in Iran.
He recounted a phone call from a woman named Mahjong, who was filming as federal agents took her and her husband into custody. Torrosian noted that she was in a state of panic, saying he had to take her to UCLA Medical Center after the arrest.
“She’s sick, she’s bad, call 911!” he heard her scream in the video.
Later, federal agents prevented entry to the hospital room where Mahjong was being held, as Pastor Torrosian and others gathered to pray for her.
According to reports, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the arrest, stating that two Iranian citizens were detained for being in the U.S. illegally and flagged for national security concerns.
In a statement on social media, DHS outlined that when Mahjong faced a medical emergency, agents contacted EMS and took her to the hospital, but both she and her husband are now in custody.
When Torrosian inquired if the agents had a warrant, they claimed they did, but failed to show it at the scene.
He explained that the couple didn’t have a Social Security Number, work permit, or any criminal record and had been attending church for over a year.
“For a moment, I came here for such freedom, in the streets of Tehran, under terror and dictatorship,” he reflected on the incident.
He added that Mahjong and her husband fled Iran due to their Christian faith and had no family in Los Angeles, emphasizing that they were seeking asylum and had entered the U.S. through a proper process.
However, an ICE agent mentioned that their status was “no longer valid,” according to Torrosian.
In the video from the arrest, Torrosian confronted the agents, questioning their actions.
“There’s an army here,” he remarked.
Despite his pleas to accompany the detained individuals, the officers told him he could only observe.
“You’re so cruel,” he expressed to the agents. “I know you’re just doing your job, but I’m embarrassed by you. Shame on this government.”
Following the arrests, Torrosian canceled the Sunday service due to the overwhelming reaction within the congregation.
“I miss them, and hopefully, I can hug them and preach for them again,” he said.
He also mentioned that he continues to pray for the situation, expressing hope for forgiveness towards the agents involved.
