U.S. Deported an Iranian Christian Asylum Seeker to Panama Without a Hearing

Artemis Ghasemzadeh, a 27-year-old Iranian Christian convert, sought U.S. asylum but was removed to Panama without a credible-fear hearing before an immigration judge. Her case illustrates third-country removals: transferring asylum seekers to nations under bilateral arrangements, bypassing judicial review that U.S. asylum law historically requires. Panama granted Ghasemzadeh a six-month humanitarian visa extension in June 2025. Rep. Ansari introduced the "Artemis Act" to close the procedural gap.