Trump administration plans deporting Afghans via Pakistan

A senior US official and a coalition comprising veterans’ groups and advocacy organizations reported on Friday that the Donald Trump administration is preparing to deport certain Afghan migrants back to Afghanistan. The planned removals involve individuals who fled their home country following the Taliban’s seizure of power in 2021 and the subsequent withdrawal of American forces.

Deportation logistics and scale

Sean Vandiver, head of the organization "Afghan Evac," stated that some of those facing expulsion are relatives of men who served alongside US troops. He noted that these families already possess sufficient reasons for the Taliban to target them. According to the New York Times, more than 150 Afghan migrants are expected to be deported in what would constitute one of the largest individual deportation operations for Afghans.

The newspaper reported that the administration has detained dozens of Afghan migrants in Louisiana with plans to remove them. The first flight is anticipated to depart as early as Monday. A US official confirmed that the deportations will be routed through Pakistan because Washington cannot arrange direct flights to Afghanistan due to the absence of diplomatic relations with the Taliban.

Political context and legal challenges

President Trump has asserted that his stringent immigration campaign and deportation efforts aim to enhance domestic security. However, human rights defenders argue that these harsh measures violate due process and freedom of expression. They contend that such actions have created an unsafe environment for minorities, who have expressed concern regarding racial profiling.

The Department of Homeland Security declined to confirm future deportation operations, citing operational security reasons. Vandiver urged Congress to pass legislation granting temporary protected status to Afghans residing in the United States to shield them from removal. Since 2023, Pakistan has expelled more than two million Afghan citizens to Afghanistan.

Broader enforcement trends

Reports indicate that the Trump administration oversaw the deportation of 980,000 people over an 18-month period. This development follows moves by five European nations to relocate migrants to third countries after the United States initiated similar policies.