Key Takeaways
• Iran deported over 1.6 million Afghans in 2025, with nearly 600,000 forced since June 1.
• Daily deportations rose from 5,000 to 30,000, mostly forced removals violating international law.
• Afghan women and girls face trauma, lack documents, and increased risk of violence post-deportation.
As of July 2025, Iranian authorities have deported hundreds of thousands of Afghan women, men, and children back to Afghanistan, creating a humanitarian crisis that grows worse each day. The latest figures show that since the start of 2025, more than 1.6 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan, with the vast majority forced out of Iran. The scale and speed of these deportations, especially after Iran’s brief war with Israel earlier this year, have left Afghan women and girls in particular facing deep fear, trauma, and uncertainty about their future.
Mass Deportations and Rising Fear
In just a few months, Iranian authorities have increased the number of daily deportations from about 5,000 to nearly 30,000 people per day. Between late March and early July 2025, over 772,000 Afghan migrants were forcibly removed, with nearly 600,000 sent back since June 1 alone. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, about 70% of these deportations are forced removals, not voluntary returns. Many Afghans, including women and children, are taken from their homes or picked up at police checkpoints, given little or no warning, and sent to the border without a chance to collect their belongings or say goodbye to loved ones.
Children make up about 25% of those deported, which means families are being torn apart and young people are facing trauma that could last a lifetime. The Iranian government set a deadline of July 6, 2025, for all undocumented Afghans to leave the country, a move that threatened up to 4 million people. Even after this deadline, expulsions have continued at a rapid pace.
Why Are Deportations Increasing?
The sharp rise in deportations began after Iran’s brief conflict with Israel in mid-2025. During and after the war, Iranian state media and officials accused Afghan migrants of spying for Israel. These accusations fueled a wave of xenophobia—fear and hatred of foreigners—against Afghans living in Iran. Many Afghan families reported increased harassment, mass arrests, and even violence. Police raided homes, arrested people in the streets, and destroyed valid travel documents. Some Afghans were denied access to health care and other basic services.
Iranian authorities describe these actions as part of a crackdown on “unauthorized foreign nationals.” They say the deportations are necessary to manage migration and protect national security. Naderyar Ahmadi, head of the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs, has repeatedly called Afghan migrants “unauthorized” and justified the mass expulsions as migration management.
The Plight of Afghan Women and Girls
For Afghan women and girls, being deported from Iran means facing a double threat. First, they must deal with the trauma and fear of being forced out of a country where many have lived for years, sometimes their entire lives. Second, they must return to Afghanistan, where the security situation is unstable and women’s rights are severely restricted.
Many Afghan women and girls in Iran have stopped going outside, afraid of being arrested at police checkpoints. Some families keep their daughters home from school or work to protect them from being detained. The case of Kubra Rezaie, a young Afghan woman found dead in Tehran after going missing, shows just how dangerous life has become for Afghan women in Iran. Her death, which happened amid a rise in hate crimes and violence against Afghans, has sent shockwaves through the community.
When Afghan women and girls are deported, they often arrive in Afghanistan with nothing. Many have no identification, no money, and no place to stay. They are separated from support networks and face a high risk of exploitation, including gender-based violence. Without documents, they cannot access basic services or find safe housing. Human rights groups warn that these women and girls are among the most vulnerable and need urgent protection.
Human Rights Concerns and Legal Issues
The forced deportations from Iran violate several principles of international law. Under the principle of non-refoulement, countries are not allowed to send people back to places where they face danger or persecution. Human rights organizations, including the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), have condemned Iran’s actions as serious violations of international law.
Many Afghans in Iran have not been given a chance to apply for asylum or legal protection. Deportations often happen without due process, meaning people are not allowed to speak to a lawyer or have a fair hearing. Some families are separated during the process, with children and parents sent to different locations or left behind.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that up to 3 million Afghans could be forced to return by the end of 2025. This would overwhelm Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian system and put even more people at risk.
Impact on Afghanistan and Returnees
Afghanistan is struggling to cope with the huge number of returnees. The country is facing economic collapse, ongoing conflict, and a lack of resources. Many border provinces are overwhelmed by the daily arrival of thousands of deported Afghans. Local authorities and aid groups are doing their best to provide food, shelter, and medical care, but the needs far exceed what is available.
For Afghan women and girls, the challenges are even greater. In Afghanistan, women’s rights have been sharply restricted since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Women are often not allowed to work, go to school, or move freely without a male guardian. Those who return from Iran may be seen as outsiders or face suspicion from local communities. Without support, many are at risk of homelessness, abuse, or being forced into early marriage.
Personal Stories and Voices
The stories of Afghan women and girls deported from Iran are heartbreaking. Many describe being woken up in the middle of the night by police, given only minutes to gather their things, and then loaded onto buses or trucks. Some say they were separated from family members during the process and have no idea where their loved ones are now.
One young woman, who asked not to be named for her safety, described her experience: “We lived in Iran for years. My sisters and I went to school there. One day, the police came to our house and told us we had to leave. We didn’t have time to pack. They took us to the border and left us there. Now we are in Afghanistan, but we have nothing. We are scared and don’t know what will happen to us.”
Another deported Afghan woman said, “I am afraid to go outside. In Iran, I was always worried about being arrested. Here in Afghanistan, I am worried about my safety and my future. I don’t know how we will survive.”
International Response and Calls for Action
The international community has called on Iran to stop the forced deportations and respect the rights of Afghan migrants. UN agencies, including UNHCR, are working to provide emergency support to returnees, but they warn that without more help, the crisis will get worse. Human rights groups are urging Iran to allow Afghans to apply for asylum and to provide fair legal processes before deporting anyone.
The United Nations and other organizations are also calling on donor countries to increase funding for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. They say that without more resources, it will be impossible to meet the needs of the growing number of returnees.
What Can Be Done?
There are several steps that can help address the crisis facing Afghan women and girls deported from Iran:
- Increase humanitarian aid: More funding is needed for food, shelter, health care, and education in Afghanistan, especially for women and children.
- Protect women’s rights: International organizations should work with local groups to protect the rights of Afghan women and girls, including access to safe housing and legal support.
- Improve asylum procedures: Iran should allow Afghans to apply for asylum and provide fair hearings before deporting anyone.
- Family reunification: Efforts should be made to reunite families separated during deportation and to provide support for children who have lost contact with their parents.
- International pressure: Governments and human rights groups should continue to pressure Iran to respect international law and protect the rights of migrants.
Resources for Afghan Migrants and Returnees
- UNHCR Afghanistan: Offers emergency support and information for returnees. Visit the UNHCR Afghanistan official website for details on services and local office locations.
- FORUM-ASIA Communications and Media Programme: Provides information and support for Afghan migrants in Iran. Contact: [email protected]
- Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI): Monitors and reports on human rights abuses against Afghan migrants.
Looking Ahead
The situation for Afghan women and girls deported from Iran remains extremely dangerous. With deportations continuing at high rates and no sign of Iranian policy changing, the crisis is likely to grow in the coming months. Humanitarian agencies are scaling up their response, but they need more support from the international community.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the mass deportations are not only a violation of international law but also a direct threat to the safety and well-being of some of the most vulnerable people in the region. Without urgent action, Afghan women and girls will continue to face fear, trauma, and a future filled with uncertainty.
What Readers Can Do
If you are an Afghan migrant facing deportation or know someone who is, reach out to local UNHCR offices or trusted humanitarian organizations for help. Stay informed about your rights and seek legal advice if possible. For those outside the region, consider supporting organizations that provide aid to Afghan returnees or advocate for refugee rights.
The crisis facing Afghan women and girls deported from Iran is a stark reminder of the need for compassion, legal protection, and international cooperation. Only by working together can we hope to provide safety and hope for those caught in the middle of this humanitarian emergency.
Learn Today
Deportation → The forced removal of individuals from a country to their country of origin or another state.
Non-refoulement → An international law principle forbidding returning refugees to places where they face danger.
Xenophobia → Fear or hatred of foreigners, often leading to discrimination or violence.
Asylum → Protection granted by a country to someone fleeing persecution in their home country.
Forced removal → Expelling individuals without their consent, often violating legal protections and human rights.
This Article in a Nutshell
Mass deportations of Afghan migrants from Iran in 2025 have worsened, causing trauma and humanitarian crises. Women and children suffer most, facing fear, violence, and uncertain futures in insecure Afghanistan amid inadequate international response.
— By VisaVerge.com
