Afghanistan Protests U.S. Plan to Transfer Migrants to Pakistan

The Government of Afghanistan expressed serious concern over reports that the United States plans to transfer Afghan migrants and refugees to Pakistan. The plan reportedly targets Afghan nationals who lack legal residency documents in the U.S., including family members of individuals who worked with U.S. forces.

Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, stated that decisions regarding Afghan citizens must be based on clear bilateral coordination. The ministry warned that third countries should not engage in transactions regarding the fate of another nation's citizens for short-term privileges or limited benefits.

Simultaneously, the advocacy group AfghanEvac reported that the U.S. government is preparing to deport more than 150 Afghans via a charter flight departing from Louisiana during the first week of November. Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, criticized the timing of these deportations and called on the U.S. Congress to pass Afghanistan Temporary Protected Status to protect Afghan allies.