Donald Trump has indicated support for a Christian-backed plan urging the U.S. to open lawful, secure, and fast-tracked entry pathways for Jewish Canadians facing antisemitic threats, an idea that critics say exposes the failures of Canadian leadership on religious liberty.

The National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL), led by Jason Rapert, is calling on Trump to direct the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to create expedited legal channels for Jewish Canadians and their immediate families if they can demonstrate credible fears for their safety. Trump amplified the campaign by sharing a report about the plan on Truth Social, providing a signal boost to a cause that has gained momentum among both religious and civic leaders in the United States.

Rapert, speaking from Israel, said that more than 2,000 Jewish Canadians have expressed interest in relocating, describing a climate of “harassment, vandalism, intimidation, threats, and violence targeting Jewish schools, synagogues, businesses, institutions, and families.” He pressed Trump to raise the issue directly with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and accused Canada of creating “perceived roadblocks” for those seeking to leave. “We will find out” if Canada is getting in the way, Rapert told Fox News Digital, adding, “Canada should be embarrassed and ashamed of these perceived roadblocks. And we're trying to rally leaders to take a stand.”

The NACL’s letter, signed by Rapert, former U.S. ambassador Sam Brownback, and over 50 other leaders, appeals to America’s history as a haven for the persecuted: “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 plan would use existing refugee, humanitarian, and visa authorities.

Antisemitic incidents in Canada have surged since the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, has admitted the country’s “civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians,” calling the problem “specific, severe and demands a targeted response.” The statistics are stark: although Jewish Canadians account for about 1% of the population, more than two-thirds of last year’s religion-motivated hate crimes targeted them, according to Carney. Canada has reported nearly 7,000 antisemitic incidents, with the United States, ten times larger in population, reporting fewer than 6,300, according to Rapert’s cited figures.

States step up as Canada stumbles on religious protection

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt told Trump in a July 22 letter that his state stands ready to welcome Jewish families who legally enter the United States. “They bring talent, faith, family values, entrepreneurship, and a sincere desire to contribute to the Nation that offers them safety and religious liberty,” Stitt wrote. Nebraska is reportedly also considering joining Oklahoma’s offer.

Alex Gray, who served as chief of staff for the White House National Security Council during the first Trump administration, drew a parallel to America’s post-Vietnam War refugee tradition: “Oklahoma has a long tradition of helping those seeking refuge from around the world, most notably after the Vietnam War displaced thousands who fought next to American troops. Now, because of Canada’s inability or unwillingness to stand up to global anti Semitism, Oklahoma is doing the same.”

Rapert’s push for U.S. action was sparked in part by Michael Sachs, a Jewish community leader who described in a National Post piece how Canadian Jews are making “exit strategies” amid mounting threats. Sachs, senior director of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, alerted the NACL to the growing anxiety among Canadian Jews. In response, Jewish and Christian leaders in Tulsa and other U.S. cities have stepped forward to help receive families who might seek refuge.

This is not the first time U.S.-Canada relations have faced high-profile policy tensions. Trump has previously taken forceful action on trade, as seen in his executive order renaming Lake Ontario during a tariff standoff, and has drawn support even from some Democrats for his tough approach on Ottawa’s economic policies.

Christian lawmakers and faith leaders unite against antisemitism

The Christian-led effort frames antisemitism as not just a problem for Jews, but a moral crisis for Western civilization. “Antisemitism is a moral evil, and Christians must be willing to stand with our Jewish friends when they face hatred and persecution,” Rapert declared. He emphasized that the rising threat is not just a matter of statistics, but of 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.”

Advocates for the plan are pushing for a lawful, orderly process, using existing U.S. legal authorities, rather than the chaos of open borders or illegal entry. The proposal calls for “lawful, secure, and appropriately expedited pathways” for those who can demonstrate credible fears of persecution, and stresses that any routes created must be consistent with federal law and U.S. security interests.

As the U.S. explores ways to respond, the rift with Canada over core values, religious liberty, law and order, and the protection of minority communities, has become more visible. The campaign to help Jewish Canadians comes as trade and diplomatic disputes have also flared, including the collapse of trade negotiations and the imposition of steep U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

Some U.S. lawmakers have sharply criticized Canada’s policy choices, alleging double standards and a lack of backbone in the face of international pressure. Vice President JD Vance, for example, recently called out Ottawa for treating Chinese goods more favorably than American exports, highlighting a pattern of Canadian government actions that have frustrated both conservative and bipartisan coalitions in Washington. Vance’s criticism of Canada’s trade practices echoes the current complaints about Canada’s limited response to antisemitism.

Open questions remain as pressure mounts on Canadian leaders

Key details about the Christian-led proposal remain unresolved. The exact criteria for eligibility, the number of Jewish Canadians who have actually relocated versus those expressing interest, and the nature of the “roadblocks” Rapert accuses Canada of erecting are unclear. It is also not known what concrete steps, if any, the Trump administration has taken beyond amplifying the proposal on social media.

But one thing is certain: the call for action has highlighted a crisis in Canada that its own leaders have admitted is “specific, severe and demands a targeted response.” Whether Ottawa acts or not, the American response, led by Christian lawmakers, state officials, and faith leaders, shows that religious liberty and the safety of persecuted minorities remain at the heart of this country’s promise.

When Canada’s leaders lose their nerve, Americans remember what it means to be a refuge for the persecuted, and aren’t afraid to say so.