WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration is preparing to deport a group of Afghan immigrants through Pakistan, potentially returning some to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan despite warnings that individuals with ties to former U.S. allies could face persecution.
More than 150 Afghans are expected to be removed in what could become one of the largest single deportations of Afghan nationals since the 2021 U.S. withdrawal, according to Reuters and The New York Times. Dozens are being held in Louisiana, with the first flight reportedly possible as early as Monday.
A U.S. official told Reuters the deportations would occur through Pakistan because Washington does not maintain diplomatic relations with Afghanistan’s Taliban government. Pakistan has itself expelled more than 2 million Afghans to Afghanistan since 2023.
AfghanEvac, a coalition that assisted Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal, says some detainees are relatives of people who worked alongside American forces and could face Taliban retaliation. The organization says detainees have received conflicting information about whether Pakistan is their final destination or merely a transfer point before Afghanistan.
Advocates also say the group includes people who may have persecution or torture claims that should be evaluated before removal. Human Rights First has been challenging the administration’s broader policy of deporting immigrants to third countries without sufficient notice or an opportunity to raise country-specific safety concerns.
The Department of Homeland Security declined to confirm the planned flight, citing operational security. The administration says its broader deportation campaign is intended to improve domestic security.
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