Students from Notre Dame Law School’s Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic recently helped secure asylum for an Iranian Christian convert who fled Iran after facing severe religious persecution. The case highlights the critical role of legal advocacy in protecting individuals fleeing state-sponsored religious oppression, a reality for millions of individuals worldwide. Refugee and asylum laws offer critical protection for those fleeing state-sponsored persecution. However, the process is often long and arduous, even for those fortunate enough to reach a safe country and request asylum.

The client, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity, had been forced to practice his faith in secret after converting, attending underground house churches to avoid persecution. When the church group was discovered, he was forced to flee the country. After departing, Iranian authorities sought to arrest the individual, charging him with apostasy—a crime punishable by death in Iran.

Apostasy, defined as the abandonment or renunciation of one’s faith, carries the death penalty in several countries. These laws contradict Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), both of which uphold the fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. In Iran, Christian converts face the constant threat of arrest, torture, and execution solely for their faith.

Notre Dame Law students played an essential role in defending his right to safety and religious freedom. Under the guidance of attorneys Kimberlie Orr and Domenic Canonico, students participated in every phase of the asylum process, from initial client consultations to preparing filings, working with expert witnesses, and representing the client in immigration court hearings.

Gloria Wertjes and Shideya Parrilla, two Clinic students, traveled to California to represent the client in his final immigration hearing on January 24, 2025. Wertjes served as lead counsel during the hearing, while Rohan Vaidya had represented the client in a prior hearing. Their efforts, along with the work of Kathleen Casey and the guidance of Clinic attorneys, culminated in the successful grant of asylum by the immigration judge.

“It was an honor to represent our client in court for a successful grant of asylum,” said Wertjes. “Advocating for someone fleeing global religious persecution was a truly meaningful experience as a second-year law student. It was a rewarding opportunity to practice the legal and professional skills I developed through the Religious Liberty Clinic at Notre Dame.”

He expressed gratitude for the support he received from the Clinic. "While the thought of standing freely against the religious beliefs imposed on us since childhood—and the idea that there would be people to defend this free decision and support me—seemed extremely difficult, but the love and support of our Heavenly Father made it possible," he said. "A dedicated group played a significant role in bringing this to fruition through months of hard work.”

In addition to securing asylum, the Clinic team will assist him in filing petitions to reunite with his family.

Orr emphasized the importance of this work. “It is an extraordinary honor to train students to deliver high-quality pro bono legal services to individuals fleeing persecution. Using the law to protect a life and safeguard the future of an entire family is powerful. But the greatest privilege isn’t what we give; it’s what we receive. Our clients inspire us with their courage and resilience, reminding us never to take our freedom to worship for granted.”

Cannonico echoed this sentiment. “It was a privilege to witness this well-deserved victory for our client, who can now continue to practice his faith without fear. The judge’s decision reflects our country’s longstanding commitment to religious liberty and human dignity.”

This case is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of legal advocacy and the commitment of our students and faculty to the cause of religious freedom and dignity.

Originally published by Elyse Paul at religiousliberty.nd.edu on February 11, 2025.