A coalition of Christian lawmakers, former religious freedom officials, and civic leaders are calling on President Donald Trump to create a legal immigration pathway for Jewish Canadians fleeing what they describe as skyrocketing antisemitism in Canada. The proposal represents an unusual intersection of religious freedom advocacy, immigration policy, and international relations between two historically close allies.
Trump shared the news on Truth Social Sunday, amplifying a Just the News report on the proposal. His public endorsement of the coverage signals potential White House interest in the initiative, though no formal policy response has yet been announced.
The National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL) and partner organizations sent a letter to Trump on Thursday urging the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to develop secure, expedited immigration pathways for eligible Jewish Canadian nationals and their families. The request comes at a time when immigration enforcement has been a central focus of the Trump administration’s policy agenda, making the timing of this appeal particularly significant.
“For generations, America has served as a refuge for people fleeing religious persecution. We urge you to ensure that, consistent with federal law and the security interests of the United States, that door remains open to our Jewish brothers and sisters in Canada who need it today.”
The letter highlighted what signers called a surge in harassment, intimidation, vandalism, threats, and attacks on Canadian Jewish communities following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The escalation represents a concerning trend in a nation long regarded as a model of multicultural tolerance and religious pluralism. Jewish community centers, synagogues, and schools across Canada have reported increased security concerns in the months since the Middle East conflict intensified.
NACL founder Jason Rapert, former U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback, and more than 50 state legislators and community leaders signed the letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and congressional leaders. The diverse coalition reflects growing bipartisan concern about religious freedom issues, transcending typical partisan divisions on immigration matters.
Rapert pointed to the numbers: Canada has documented nearly 7,000 antisemitic incidents among a population of roughly 41 million, compared to fewer than 6,300 reported in the U.S., which has over 342 million people. The per capita comparison is striking—Canada’s rate of reported antisemitic incidents is dramatically higher when population size is taken into account, suggesting a disproportionate problem that Jewish communities there are facing. These statistics have become a focal point for advocates arguing that the situation constitutes a legitimate religious persecution crisis.
“These numbers represent more than statistics. They represent families who increasingly question whether they can safely send their children to Jewish schools, worship openly, display their faith publicly, or continue building their lives in communities where they no longer feel secure.”
On Fox News Sunday morning, Rapert said he’s urging Trump to directly ask Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney about alleged obstacles preventing swift acknowledgment of the distress felt by thousands of Jewish Canadians concerned for their safety. The diplomatic dimension of the request adds complexity to what might otherwise be treated as a straightforward humanitarian immigration matter, potentially affecting U.S.-Canada relations.
“We will find out” if Canada is getting in the way of the more than 2,000 Jewish Canadians who have expressed interest in relocating, Rapert said. “Trump should ask Carney right now. Canada should be embarrassed and ashamed of these perceived roadblocks. And we’re trying to rally leaders to take a stand.”
The coalition also praised Trump for his ongoing commitment to fighting antisemitism and defending religious rights in the U.S. The administration’s track record on these issues, including previous executive actions and diplomatic initiatives focused on combating antisemitism globally, forms the backdrop for the coalition’s optimism that their proposal might receive serious consideration.
The letter concluded with a call to action beyond rhetoric. The signatories are framing their request not as a departure from current immigration priorities, but as an application of longstanding American values regarding religious freedom and the protection of persecuted minorities.
“Religious liberty must be more than a principle we proclaim; it must be a principle we are willing to defend.”
