US Must Protect Minorities from 'Unjust Iran Regime'

An Illinois congressman is speaking up for religious minorities in Iran and urging senior congressional leaders to take action to protect them.

Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill., is urging lawmakers to reauthorize an amendment to preserve a secure pathway to asylum for religious minorities under attack in Iran.

In his letter calling for the approval of the Lautenburg Amendment, Hultgren wrote, "Time after time the Islamic Republic of Iran has shown a clear intention to impose its extremist views upon all Iranians, regardless of the faith of its citizens. We must act to make sure religious minorities are protected from the unjust Iranian regime."

"Without the safeguards provided by the Lautenburg Amendment, safe transit countries like Austria may no longer be willing to provide visas to allow religious minorities to be processed on their soil," the letter stated.

The program, enacted in 1990, has provided one of the few avenues of escape for those endangered by practicing their religious faith.

Without the amendment, U.S. refugee processing of Iranian Christians, Jews and Baha'is would be limited or terminated altogether, leaving no safe way for persecuted people to flee Iran to practice their faith without fear of reprisal.