USCIRF Urges Turkey on Special Watch List Over Christian Deportations

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is renewing its call for Turkey to be added to the State Department’s Special Watch List, citing persistent and serious violations of religious freedom, most notably the systematic deportation of foreign Christians under the pretext of national security concerns.

Since 2020, Turkish authorities have deported more than 200 foreign Christian workers, with the total number of affected individuals reaching approximately 350.

A significant proportion of those expelled are ordained Protestant ministers who had lived and served in Turkey for decades, leaving many Protestant congregations without pastoral leadership or care. The issue has attracted renewed international attention in recent months.

In February, the European Court of Human Rights formally communicated 20 cases involving Christians barred from re-entering the country. This was swiftly followed by a European Parliament resolution sharply criticizing the deportations as grounded in unfounded national-security justifications and carried out without due legal process.

USCIRF has since amplified these concerns, explicitly reiterating its recommendation which was first outlined in its 2025 Annual Report, that the U.S. State Department designate Turkey for the Special Watch List in response to these ongoing violations.

USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler stated: “Turkey’s arbitrary labeling of foreign-born Protestant Christians as national security threats is designed to intimidate the Christian community and prevent them from gathering for worship. Everyone, regardless of residency status, has the right to freedom of religion or belief under international law.”

She continued, “The U.S. administration should build on the momentum from President Trump’s September meeting with President Erdoğan and press for concrete improvements to Turkey’s religious freedom record — including an end to its targeted campaign against Christians.”

Legal representation for many of the affected individuals is being provided by ADF International with Kelsey Zorzi, the organization’s Director of Advocacy, stating: “We urge the U.S. government and the broader international community to continue standing up for this fundamental right and to call on Turkey to halt the targeted expulsion of Christian missionaries. Peacefully practicing the Christian faith is no grounds for being labeled a security threat and removed from the country these individuals lawfully made their home.”

Turkish authorities have consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing outside criticism as unwarranted interference in the country’s internal affairs. As unrest and uncertainty persist in the region for our brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be the one’s who stand in the gap and uplift them in prayer.

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