Key Takeaways
• Iran plans to deport up to 2 million Afghan migrants by March 2025, with daily expulsions reaching 3,000 people.
• Dogharoun International Crossing is now Iran’s main deportation hub, with poor facilities and reports of mistreatment and family separation.
• Deportations strain both Afghan and Iranian societies, raising economic, legal, and humanitarian concerns and prompting international criticism.
Iran’s policy towards Afghan migrants has shifted dramatically, making headlines for its massive deportation campaign with effects that ripple through both Iranian and Afghan societies. Afghan migrants now face rising uncertainty and hardship, as their future in Iran becomes more unstable. This article explores every aspect of the current deportation surge, looks at how it affects migrants and host communities, and highlights the complex mix of economic, social, and political factors behind Iran’s policy. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation at the border, especially at the Dogharoun International Crossing, underscores a broader trend that impacts countless lives on both sides.
Surging Deportations: The New Reality for Afghan Migrants
In recent months, Iran has intensified its expulsion of Afghan migrants, setting an ambitious target: officials plan to deport up to 2 million Afghan migrants by March 2025. This goal, set by the Iranian Ministry of Interior, marks a swift policy change and a sense of urgency never seen before. According to estimates shared by Taliban officials, nearly 3,000 Afghans are now deported from Iran every day.
These forced returns are not rare or isolated events. They happen consistently. In 2023, more than one million Afghan nationals were deported from Iran, according to data from the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. Just in 2024, the number already stands at 750,000 deported Afghans. Over the past two years, from 2022 to 2024, Iran has expelled more than 1.8 million Afghan migrants in total.
The main place for these deportations is the Dogharoun International Crossing. This border point in eastern Iran has become a busy hub, often crowded with exhausted and stressed men, women, and children waiting to be sent back to Afghanistan. The sheer volume poses significant logistical challenges, both for Iran as the sending country and Afghanistan as the recipient.
Life at the Dogharoun International Crossing
The Dogharoun International Crossing has grown in importance, as it is now the main border gate through which most deported Afghans return. Scenes here are often difficult to witness. Buses full of deportees arrive almost non-stop, and border officials process large groups as quickly as possible.
For Afghan migrants, the return journey is both physically and emotionally draining. Many report being held in overcrowded camps with poor facilities. The accounts of those who have passed through these areas are disturbing: migrants describe being “humiliated and beaten” at police stations before being loaded onto buses for the border transfer. Some say they were given little or no food and water, adding to their distress in an already tough and frightening time.
Families are often separated, and people are left with few belongings and limited means to survive once they cross back into Afghanistan. The border crossing, meant only as a transit point, quickly becomes a place of worry and fear for many returning Afghans.
Changing Policy: From Hospitality to Restriction
Iran’s approach to Afghan migrants has not always been this harsh. For decades, Iran hosted millions of Afghan refugees, especially during times of war or crisis in Afghanistan. This policy brought both challenges and benefits — Afghans have taken up jobs in construction, agriculture, and service industries, often filling roles few Iranians wanted. Over time, however, Iran’s government aimed to manage rather than expel the Afghan population, focusing on “regulation” since 2007.
But the current mass deportation campaign signals a clear shift towards restriction and exclusion. Iran has:
- Formally banned Afghans from entering 16 provinces.
- Completely blocked Afghan nationals from living in 19 provinces.
- Increased police and border checks, resulting in the arrest and deportation of even those with valid visas.
- Tightened rules on education, with Afghan students facing enrollment rejections, making it hard for many to continue their studies.
This environment has led many in the Afghan community to feel unwelcome and cut off from the chance to build stable lives in Iran.
Hard Strains on Deportees
The journey for Afghan deportees rarely ends when they step onto Afghan soil. Most are dropped at or near the Dogharoun International Crossing with almost nothing: no savings, few possessions, and no clear path forward. Many have lived and worked in Iran for years, so they have little connection left in Afghanistan. For children born and raised in Iran, the return means adapting to an unfamiliar homeland.
Mistreatment is a common complaint. Deportees regularly speak of being handled like criminals, with reports of being held in camps with poor hygiene, lacking basic necessities, and facing harsh treatment from Iranian authorities. This, in turn, stirs anger and fear within Afghan communities, both in Iran and Afghanistan.
Broader Impact: Effects on Both Societies
The ongoing deportations have wide-reaching effects that go beyond the individuals directly involved. For Afghanistan, already struggling with major economic and social troubles, the sudden arrival of thousands of returnees creates extra strain on resources, jobs, and public services.
- There are not enough jobs for both new arrivals and those already living in Afghanistan.
- Many returning migrants are in need of support, including shelter, food, and medical care.
- Families split by deportation suffer emotional distress and uncertainty about their future.
On the other side, Iran faces growing resentment among its own citizens, sparked by high unemployment, slower economic growth, and security concerns. Migrants — often an easy target in challenging times — face the brunt of popular anger, with officials blaming them for crime, job competition, and other social issues. These factors have combined to create a difficult atmosphere for Afghans living in Iran, no matter their legal status.
Root Causes: What Drives the Deportations?
Several factors lie behind the shift in Iran’s treatment of Afghan migrants. The most important are:
- Economic Worries: Iran’s economy has suffered in recent years, hit hard by international sanctions, inflation, and rising unemployment. Officials argue that the country cannot support millions of migrants at a time when many Iranians are struggling to find work.
- Security Fears: With the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan and concerns about border stability, Iranian authorities point to security as a key reason for the crackdown. They claim that a stricter approach to migration helps keep smugglers, criminals, and suspected militants in check.
- Public Opinion and Politics: Popular resentment towards Afghan migrants has grown. This is partly due to stories of successful Afghan business people, but also a political calculation by Iranian leaders, who see tougher migration policies as a way to appeal to domestic voters.
- Changing Regional Tides: The takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2021 led to new waves of people fleeing across the border. The situation forced Iran to manage not just old arrivals, but also many newcomers seeking safety and opportunity.
By combining these factors, Iran’s current policy leaves Afghan migrants trapped in a tough spot — accepted when needed, but quickly pushed out when unwanted.
Humanitarian and International Concerns
The scale and pace of these deportations have drawn strong criticism from both international organizations and Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership. The Taliban administration has publicly asked Iran to slow down its deportations and to organize returns in a way that does not put sudden pressure on Afghanistan’s already struggling economy.
On May 10, 2025, Afghan migrants themselves staged rare protests in Iran, calling for an end to forced deportations. Many voiced fears about returning to a country with ongoing instability, limited job prospects, and few support systems.
Major human rights organizations have raised alarm over the way deportations are carried out. Concerns include:
- Lack of Legal Safeguards: Most deportees have no way to appeal their removal or challenge the decision in court.
- Poor Conditions: Many returns happen under unsafe and unhygienic conditions at the border.
- Possible Breach of International Law: These actions may violate the legal principle of “non-refoulement,” which forbids sending refugees or people seeking safety back to places where they might face danger.
The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, among others, says Iran’s expulsion of Afghans often strips them of basic rights and dignity. This criticism has put extra pressure on Iran to address legal and humanitarian issues in its migration policies.
Education and Opportunity: Doors Closing
Education is one of the areas most affected by new restrictions. Previously, Afghan students had managed to attend schools and universities in Iran, even though it was often complicated. This chance has nearly closed, with many students rejected at the start of each new academic year because of their status. Losing access to education leaves a generation of young Afghans at risk, not only in Iran but after their forced return to Afghanistan, where education opportunities are even more limited.
Living in Fear: The Daily Life of Afghan Migrants
Life has become very difficult for Afghan migrants still in Iran. Even those with official documents, such as visas or residency cards, now fear arrest and deportation. Police checks have become more frequent, pushing some Afghans into hiding or forcing them to avoid public places and essential services.
Communities have grown more isolated. Many Afghans report being turned away when trying to rent homes, enroll their children in school, or find healthcare. This sense of exclusion and risk has left people feeling unwelcome and unsure of where or how they can safely live.
Children and families pay the highest price. With parents losing jobs and facing expulsion, children are pulled out of school or left without enough food and support. The stress and uncertainty weigh heavily on all members of the community.
Policy Shifts Over Time: Historical Context
To understand the present crisis, it’s important to remember Iran’s long history with Afghan migration. In the 1980s and 1990s, millions of Afghans arrived in Iran fleeing war and disaster at home. They provided vital labor and contributed to the Iranian economy in many ways. During these periods, Iran earned international praise for offering shelter and support.
In the mid-2000s, however, Iran started focusing more on managing and regulating its migrant population, tightening rules gradually. It wasn’t until after the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan that Tehran returned to forced mass expulsions as a central policy.
This recent shift represents not just a legal or policy change, but a deeper transformation in attitudes, as once-welcoming borders close and support turns into active rejection.
Immediate and Long-Term Effects
The deportation campaign affects more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. For individuals, it means upended lives, broken families, loss of home, and uncertain futures. For communities, it can strain social ties and lead to greater tension and instability.
Afghanistan, in particular, will have to manage the influx of returnees without enough resources. The risk is that returning migrants, facing few jobs or social support, might fall into poverty or desperation, sparking new challenges for both governments.
Iran’s own society faces risks, too. Policies that exclude and remove migrants may offer short-term relief for officials seeking to address public anger, but could harm the economy by removing much-needed labor and increasing social tension.
A Concluding Look: Where Next?
The story of Afghan migrants in Iran is far from over. At present, it is one of hardship and rising obstacles, especially for those caught up in the mass deportation effort. The focus at the Dogharoun International Crossing puts a human face on this crisis, reminding us that immigration is not just about laws or numbers, but about real lives impacted every day.
With Iran poised to deport up to two million more Afghans by 2025, calls from human rights groups and the Taliban administration for more humane processes and respect for legal rights grow louder. Key questions remain as to whether Iran will modify its approach given international pressure, or if the policy of swift expulsions will continue.
For those wanting more detailed and official information on Iran’s entry and exit requirements or deportation policies, the Ministry of Interior of the Islamic Republic of Iran provides guidance on official immigration procedures and border crossings.
The fate of Afghan migrants remains uncertain. The only thing that is clear is that both Iran and Afghanistan will continue to feel the consequences, making this one of the most challenging migration stories in the region today.
Learn Today
Dogharoun International Crossing → Main border checkpoint in eastern Iran used for large-scale deportation of Afghan migrants back to Afghanistan.
Non-refoulement → A principle of international law forbidding states from returning refugees to countries where they may face danger or persecution.
Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission → An organization monitoring and reporting on human rights issues affecting Afghans, including deportations by Iran.
Iranian Ministry of Interior → The government department responsible for internal security, migration control, and setting deportation targets for Afghan migrants.
Taliban → The governing authority in Afghanistan since 2021, involved in negotiations and protests regarding Iran’s deportation of Afghan migrants.
This Article in a Nutshell
Iran is enforcing mass deportations of Afghan migrants, aiming for 2 million expulsions by March 2025. At Dogharoun International Crossing, families face daunting conditions and abrupt separation. These large-scale forced returns strain Afghanistan and provoke international concern, shining a harsh light on evolving regional migration policies and humanitarian obligations.
— By VisaVerge.com
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