Human Rights Advocates Condemn Deportation of Afghan Refugees Now

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan began second phase of repatriation April 1, 2025, deporting over 84,200 Afghans.
• US ends Temporary Protected Status for Afghans July 14, 2025, risking mass deportations.
• Humanitarian Parole program stalled; $19 million fees collected, but thousands wait for processing.

The forced return and deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan 🇵🇰 and the United States 🇺🇸 has reached a critical point as of June 2025. Both countries have taken major steps to remove Afghans who have lived in their territories for years, sometimes decades. These actions come at a time when Afghanistan remains unstable, with many returnees facing hardship and insecurity. Human rights groups, international agencies, and Afghan refugees themselves have raised urgent concerns about the timing and impact of these policies.

Pakistan’s Second Phase of the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan

Since April 1, 2025, Pakistan 🇵🇰 has been carrying out the second phase of its Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan. This plan targets Afghans who do not have legal documents, as well as those holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). Even people with Proof of Registration Cards (PoR)—which are supposed to recognize them as official refugees—have been arrested and deported. According to reports, over 1 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan since September 15, 2023, and about 84,200 have been forcibly deported as of June 2025.

Many of these Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan 🇵🇰 for years. Some have built businesses, started families, and become part of local communities. The sudden enforcement of the repatriation plan has led to:

• Loss of homes and businesses
• Separation of families
• Uncertainty about the future

Interviews with returnees show that many arrive in Afghanistan with little or no support. They often face insecurity, lack of jobs, and poor living conditions. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and groups like Amnesty International have strongly criticized Pakistan’s actions, saying that forced returns at this time are dangerous and inhumane.

U.S. Ends Temporary Protected Status for Afghan Refugees

On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. TPS is a program that lets people from certain countries stay in the United States 🇺🇸 if their home country is unsafe due to war, natural disaster, or other serious problems. The U.S. government said that conditions in Afghanistan have improved enough to allow safe return, and that TPS for Afghans would end on July 14, 2025.

This decision affects thousands of Afghan refugees who have relied on TPS to live and work in the United States 🇺🇸. Many now face deportation to Afghanistan, a country still struggling with violence, repression, and a weak economy. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said the move was meant to restore the original, temporary purpose of TPS and mentioned concerns about fraud and public safety risks among some TPS holders.

However, experts and advocates argue that Afghanistan is still not safe for return. Marvin G. Weinbaum from the Middle East Institute called the decision a tragedy, warning that it puts Afghans at risk of harm and instability.

Humanitarian Parole Program: A Broken Promise

The U.S. also set up a Humanitarian Parole program for Afghans after the Taliban took over in August 2021. This program was supposed to help Afghans who were in danger come to the United States 🇺🇸 for safety. But many applications have not been processed. Reports show that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) collected $19 million in fees from Afghan applicants, but most applications remain unprocessed. This has left thousands of vulnerable Afghans in legal limbo, unable to access protection or basic services.

Human rights groups have criticized the U.S. for failing to follow through on its promises to help Afghans at risk. Many applicants are still waiting for answers, while the situation in Afghanistan continues to worsen.

Who Is Affected?

The current policies in Pakistan 🇵🇰 and the United States 🇺🇸 affect several groups:

• Afghan refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰: Many have lived there for years, some since childhood. They face arrest, loss of property, and forced return to Afghanistan.
• Afghan TPS holders in the U.S. 🇺🇸: Thousands who relied on TPS for safety now face deportation unless they qualify for other forms of relief.
• Afghan Humanitarian Parole applicants: Many have paid fees and submitted applications but remain in limbo, with no legal status or protection.
• Families and communities: Both in Pakistan 🇵🇰 and Afghanistan, families are being separated, and local businesses are affected by the sudden removal of Afghan workers and entrepreneurs.

Why Now? Government Justifications

Pakistan’s Position

The Pakistani government says it is enforcing the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan to protect national security and uphold the law. Officials argue that undocumented Afghans are in the country illegally and that repatriation is a sovereign right. The government has dismissed criticism from the United Nations, Amnesty International, and even local business leaders, insisting that the plan is necessary.

U.S. Government’s Position

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, claims that conditions in Afghanistan have improved enough to end TPS. The government also cites concerns about fraud and public safety among some TPS holders. Officials say the decision is part of a broader effort to return TPS to its original, temporary purpose.

Human Rights and International Criticism

Human rights groups, international agencies, and Afghan refugees themselves strongly disagree with these government positions. They argue that:

• Afghanistan remains unsafe: The country is still dealing with violence, repression, and economic collapse.
• Forced returns are dangerous: Many returnees face threats to their safety, lack of jobs, and poor living conditions.
• Deportations break international principles: The forced return of refugees goes against the idea that people should not be sent back to places where they face harm (the principle of non-refoulement).

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called on Pakistan 🇵🇰 to stop forced returns and to respect the rights of refugees. Amnesty International and other groups have made similar appeals to both Pakistan 🇵🇰 and the United States 🇺🇸.

What Happens to Returnees?

Afghan refugees who are forced to return to Afghanistan face many challenges:

• Loss of homes and businesses: Many have to leave behind everything they built in Pakistan 🇵🇰 or the United States 🇺🇸.
• Family separation: Some families are split up, with members sent to different places.
• Insecurity and poverty: Afghanistan’s economy is weak, and jobs are scarce. Many returnees struggle to find work or even basic shelter.
• Lack of support: Humanitarian aid is limited, and the Afghan government is unable to help everyone who returns.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these forced returns are making an already difficult humanitarian situation even worse. Many Afghans are arriving in a country that cannot meet their basic needs, increasing the risk of further displacement and suffering.

Step-by-Step: What Happens When TPS Ends in the U.S.?

For Afghan refugees in the United States 🇺🇸, the end of TPS follows a clear process:

1. Review of Conditions: The Department of Homeland Security reviews the situation in Afghanistan at least 60 days before TPS is set to expire.
2. Announcement: The DHS Secretary announces whether TPS will end or be extended.
3. Expiration Date: TPS for Afghanistan expired on May 20, 2025.
4. Termination Date: TPS protections officially end on July 14, 2025.
5. After Termination: Afghan TPS holders must find another way to stay in the U.S. or face deportation. This could mean applying for asylum, another visa, or other forms of relief.

For more information on TPS and other immigration programs, readers can visit the USCIS official TPS page.

Multiple Perspectives: A Closer Look

Background: How Did We Get Here?

Afghanistan has faced decades of war, leading to one of the world’s largest refugee crises. Pakistan 🇵🇰 has hosted millions of Afghan refugees since the 1980s, with many holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. After the Taliban took control in August 2021, conditions in Afghanistan became even more unstable, with violence, economic collapse, and human rights abuses.

In response, the United States 🇺🇸 granted TPS to Afghans in 2021, allowing them to stay temporarily. Pakistan 🇵🇰 began its repatriation plan in September 2023, first targeting undocumented Afghans, then expanding to those with ACCs and even some PoR holders in April 2025.

The Human Cost: Real Stories

Returnees describe losing everything overnight. Some had to abandon businesses they spent years building. Others were separated from family members, with children left behind or sent to different countries. Many arrive in Afghanistan with no money, no home, and no way to support themselves.

One Afghan man, deported from Pakistan 🇵🇰 despite holding a PoR card, said he had nowhere to go in Afghanistan and feared for his family’s safety. Another woman, whose humanitarian parole application to the U.S. remains unprocessed, described living in constant fear of being sent back to a country where she faces threats because of her past work with international organizations.

Policy Implications and Practical Effects

The current policies have several practical effects:

• Increased humanitarian needs: More people in Afghanistan need food, shelter, and medical care.
• Strain on aid organizations: Groups like UNHCR and local NGOs are struggling to keep up with the growing number of returnees.
• Economic impact: Both Pakistan 🇵🇰 and Afghanistan are affected. Pakistan loses workers and business owners, while Afghanistan cannot provide enough jobs or services for returnees.
• Legal uncertainty: Many Afghans are left in limbo, unsure of their rights or future.

What Can Affected Individuals Do?

Afghan refugees facing deportation or loss of status should:

• Seek legal advice: In the U.S., TPS holders can consult immigration lawyers to explore other options, such as asylum or family-based visas.
• Contact aid organizations: Groups like UNHCR and Amnesty International may offer support or guidance.
• Stay informed: Monitor official government websites for updates on policies and deadlines.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

• Continued forced returns: Pakistan 🇵🇰 is expected to keep enforcing its repatriation plan, which could lead to even more Afghans being sent back.
• Uncertain future for TPS holders: Afghan nationals in the U.S. 🇺🇸 must find other ways to stay or prepare for possible deportation.
• Ongoing advocacy: Human rights groups will keep pushing for better protections and more humanitarian aid.
• International pressure: There may be more calls for Pakistan 🇵🇰 and the United States 🇺🇸 to reconsider their policies, especially if conditions in Afghanistan do not improve.

Resources and Official Information

• USCIS: Temporary Protected Status
• UNHCR: Afghanistan Situation
• Amnesty International: Refugee Rights
• Pakistan Ministry of Interior (for official repatriation policy updates)

Final Thoughts

The forced return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan 🇵🇰 and the United States 🇺🇸 is happening at a time when Afghanistan is still struggling with deep problems. The policies under the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan and the end of TPS have left many Afghans in danger, without homes, jobs, or safety. Human rights groups and international agencies continue to call for more humane and responsible approaches. For now, the future remains uncertain for thousands of Afghan refugees caught between changing policies and a country that is not yet ready to welcome them home.

Learn Today

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A U.S. program allowing nationals from unsafe countries to stay temporarily for safety reasons.
Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan → Pakistan’s policy to deport undocumented and some documented Afghan refugees starting in 2023 and 2025.
Proof of Registration Card (PoR) → An official document recognizing Afghan refugees’ legal status in Pakistan.
Humanitarian Parole → A U.S. program permitting vulnerable Afghans temporary admission for safety after Taliban takeover.
Non-refoulement → International principle preventing forced return of refugees to dangerous or unsafe countries.

This Article in a Nutshell

Afghan refugees face harsh realities as Pakistan enforces repatriation and the U.S. ends TPS by July 2025. Forced returns worsen humanitarian crises amid Afghanistan’s instability. Legal limbo and family separations grow, while international groups condemn these policies as dangerous and inhumane, demanding urgent action.
— By VisaVerge.com