Trump Administration Plans to Send More Than 150 Afghan Migrants Back Through Pakistan

The Trump administration is reportedly planning to send more than 150 Afghan migrants detained in the United States back to Afghanistan through Pakistan. The development was reported by Reuters and other news outlets on October 30 and 31, citing a U.S. official and organizations working with Afghan refugees.

According to the reports, dozens of Afghan nationals have recently been transferred from different immigration detention facilities to facilities in Louisiana. Many of them reportedly left Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country in 2021. Some are also relatives of Afghans who worked alongside the U.S. military.

Under the reported plan, the detainees could first be flown from the United States to Pakistan. They may then be sent from Pakistan to Afghanistan. According to reports citing U.S. officials, the first special flight could leave around November 2. However, the U.S. government has not officially confirmed the details of the proposed operation.

If implemented, the plan could become one of the largest group returns of Afghan nationals from the United States in recent years. However, it remains unclear exactly how many people will ultimately be sent back, who will be included, and whether any of them have special legal protections or pending court cases.

Sean VanDiver, president of the AfghanEvac organization, has expressed concern about the reported plan. He has warned that some of the people facing possible removal have family members who previously worked with U.S. forces. Returning them to Afghanistan could expose them and their families to serious security risks, he said.

Human rights and refugee assistance organizations have also raised concerns. They fear that Afghan nationals could face danger if they are transferred to Pakistan and subsequently returned to Afghanistan. Concerns are particularly high for people associated with the former Afghan government, former security personnel and their families, as well as individuals who may face persecution under Taliban rule. Because the United States does not maintain normal diplomatic relations with the Taliban government, arranging direct returns to Afghanistan presents challenges. Pakistan is reportedly being considered as an intermediate destination for the proposed operation.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not provided detailed comments on the reported operation. The department generally does not disclose information about potential removal operations, flight schedules or passenger lists, citing security considerations. As a result, several important details about the plan remain unclear.

Organizations supporting Afghan refugees are urging members of the U.S. Congress to take steps to protect Afghans currently living in the United States. They say authorities should carefully review legal protections and court decisions, particularly in cases where individuals could face persecution, torture or other serious harm if returned.

After the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, many Afghans fled the country because of security concerns. Thousands sought protection abroad, including in the United States. If the Trump administration's reported plan moves forward, it could create further uncertainty for Afghan nationals who are currently detained in the country. the reported operation remains a plan rather than a confirmed completed deportation. The timing of the possible first flight and the final number of people who may be affected have not been officially confirmed.