A group of bipartisan US lawmakers has called on President Donald Trump to raise the case of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, a Christian pastor detained by China, during his upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping. Pastor Jin was arrested on October 10, 2025, along with other leaders of the Zion Church. The lawmakers emphasized the need to address the ongoing unjust imprisonment and persecution of religious minorities in China.
The legislators highlighted the broader issue of religious freedom violations in China, including arbitrary detentions, lengthy prison sentences, forced closures of places of worship, and surveillance of clergy and congregants. They urged the US administration to take concrete actions under existing laws to address these severe violations of individuals’ right to freedom of religion.
Ahead of the US-China summit, where human rights concerns are expected to be discussed, the lawmakers urged Trump to seek the release of Pastor Jin and other church leaders. They also called for targeted sanctions and visa restrictions against those responsible for religious freedom violations. The letter received bipartisan support, reflecting a rare alignment on the issue of religious freedom in China.
The detention of Pastor Jin, who has family ties to American citizens, has drawn attention to Beijing’s treatment of unsanctioned religious groups. The lawmakers framed his case as part of a larger pattern affecting Christians, Tibetans, and Uyghurs. This issue adds complexity to the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting agenda, which already includes discussions on trade, security, and geopolitical tensions.
