US and Pakistan’s Deportation Threats Put Afghan Migrants at Risk

Afghan migrants in the U.S. and Pakistan face imminent deportation as the Trump administration withdraws temporary protections, while Pakistan accelerates a crackdown on Afghan refugees by cancelling permits and urging departure under threat of arrest. Public support for these deportations, tied to rising violence, complicates the humanitarian outlook for Afghans at risk of returning to a Taliban regime.

Afghan migrants in the United States and Pakistan are facing imminent deportation back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The Trump administration has terminated temporary deportation protections for an estimated 14,600 Afghans beginning in May, under a broader push to enforce stricter immigration policies. Concurrently, Pakistan is proceeding with a crackdown on Afghan refugees, urging many to leave or face arrest and deportation as part of a larger initiative to reduce their migrant population.

The temporary protected status (TPS) program, designed for individuals from countries experiencing extraordinary events such as conflict, has been significantly affected by recent policy shifts. The Department of Homeland Security’s decision to withdraw protections for Afghans is framed within the broader context of former President Trump’s immigration strategy, which aims to diminish legal protections for migrants. Amidst these tensions, reports reveal that migrants utilizing the Biden-era CBP One app to enter the U.S. are receiving revocation notices for their temporary status, prompting many to consider self-deportation.

In Pakistan, authorities seek to deport approximately 800,000 Afghan migrants following the cancellation of their residence permits. Public sentiment favors these deportations, as many in Pakistan associate Afghan nationals with rising violence and view their presence as a burden on national resources. Community leaders, such as Abdul Shah Bukhari, observe an exodus, with families choosing to leave voluntarily to escape potential violence and hardship. Human Rights Watch has condemned the coercive tactics employed by Pakistani authorities in this process.

The political landscape further complicates the situation, with deteriorating relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan since the Taliban’s return to power. Analysts suggest that these deportation efforts may also serve as a method for Pakistan to apply pressure on the Taliban regime. Requests for humane treatment of migrants during this process have been echoed by observers calling for a more compassionate approach to repatriation.

The looming threat of deportation for Afghan migrants in the United States and Pakistan underscores the profound vulnerabilities these populations face amid changing political climates. The termination of temporary protections in the U.S. and aggressive deportation policies in Pakistan reflect broader immigration strategies, profoundly impacting thousands of individuals who fled conflict for safety. As the international community watches, the treatment of these migrants raises pressing questions about human rights and humanitarian responsibilities.

Original Source: www.abc.net.au