The US administration under President Donald Trump plans to deport over 150 Afghan immigrants back to Afghanistan via Pakistan, according to US media reports. The move, which was announced on Friday, involves sending the individuals from Louisiana to Pakistan, where they will be expelled across the border to Afghanistan.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns that the deportation could endanger the lives of the immigrants, many of whom were granted special immigrant visas following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. The Trump administration had previously imposed travel bans on several countries, including Afghanistan, as part of a broader immigration policy. It also sought to end deportation protections for Afghans, some of whom had been granted temporary refuge in the US.
The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Afghanistan, particularly in the wake of the Taliban’s control over the country. Many Afghans who fled to the US after the 2021 takeover have been granted special status, but the administration has been working to reduce the number of such cases. The deportation plan is part of a larger effort to tighten immigration policies and reduce the number of people granted asylum or special visas.
The situation highlights the complex political and humanitarian challenges facing Afghan immigrants in the US, as well as the risks they may face if returned to Afghanistan. The administration has not provided detailed information on the specific individuals targeted for deportation or the legal basis for the decision.
