An Iranian couple seeking asylum was detained by masked federal agents in Los Angeles, according to Pastor Ara Torosian of Cornerstone Church in the Sawtelle neighborhood. The couple, who have been part of the congregation for nearly a year, called Pastor Torosian to their home on Tuesday as immigration agents approached them.
During the encounter, one of the individuals suffered a medical emergency, which was captured on video. Pastor Torosian claimed the agents did not show him a warrant and recounted, “That was the moment they took Reza inside. Mahshid had a panic attack. I was hopeless in the moment.” The video shows federal agents restraining the woman as she screams and collapses. Torosian pleaded with officers to let her go, shouting, “Let her go! She’s sick! Call 911!” The woman was later taken to a hospital, treated for a medical issue, and discharged.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the couple is now in the custody of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A DHS spokesperson described the incident as a targeted enforcement operation, stating that the couple was flagged as subjects of national security interests. However, Pastor Torosian rejected this characterization, asserting, “They have no criminal background. They are not doing bad things in the U.S.”
Pastor Torosian also revealed that another couple from his church, along with their toddler, was taken into federal custody on Monday, bringing the total to five members of his congregation detained this week. He expressed his heartbreak but vowed to continue fighting for them.
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