By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has announced plans to deport several Afghan immigrants to Afghanistan, according to a US official and a coalition of veterans and advocacy groups. The move follows the 2021 Taliban takeover and the subsequent US withdrawal, which prompted many Afghans to flee to the United States for safety.
Over 150 Afghan immigrants are expected to be deported, the New York Times reported, in one of the largest single expulsions of Afghans in recent years. The administration has detained dozens of individuals in Louisiana, and the first deportation flight is expected as early as Monday.
Due to the absence of diplomatic ties between Washington and the Taliban, deportation flights are being routed through Pakistan. A US official confirmed that direct arrangements to Afghanistan are not feasible.
President Trump has framed the deportation drive as part of his broader immigration crackdown, stating it aims to improve domestic security. However, rights advocates argue the policy violates due process and free speech, and has created an unsafe environment for minorities, who have raised concerns about racial profiling.
The Department of Homeland Security declined to confirm future removal operations, citing operational security. Shawn VanDiver, head of AfghanEvac, urged Congress to pass legislation granting Afghans in the US temporary protected status to protect them from deportation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has expelled over 2 million Afghan nationals to Afghanistan since 2023, underscoring the broader regional dynamics at play.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington)
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