Iran begins identifying and deporting undocumented Afghan migrants

KABUL (Khaama Press): Ali Bahadori Jahromi, the spokesperson for the Iranian government, has announced the commencement of a program to organize foreign citizens residing in different parts of Iran, with a particular focus on identifying and deporting individuals deemed “illegal residents.”

His remarks respond to xenophobic attacks and protests against Afghan migrants in Iran.
The largest group of foreign citizens in Iran consists of Afghans, who primarily migrate to the country as refugees.

On Sunday, Mr. Bahadori Jahromi’s statements were published on the Iranian government’s social media platform X. In his remarks, he highlighted that with each shift in leadership in Afghanistan, there has been a substantial influx of Afghan migrants into neighbouring countries.

He noted that the government has recently intensified the process of identifying and expelling “undocumented foreign nationals.”

Iran and Pakistan, countries with the most Afghan migrants, have announced plans to deport illegal migrants.

In response to the expulsion of Afghan migrants from neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and Iran, international migration groups, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), have called on them to continue assisting migrants facing potential danger.

They stress the importance of halting forced deportations, citing Afghanistan’s numerous human rights challenges, particularly for women and girls.

UNHCR and IOM issued a joint statement emphasizing the severe security threats that Afghan returnees may encounter. They urge Pakistan to facilitate Afghans’ voluntary and dignified return without coercion. The United Nations underscores the need for cooperation with Pakistan in establishing a comprehensive and sustainable mechanism for registering Afghan nationals, highlighting the risk of severe human rights violations with forced deportations.

The expulsion of 1.7 million Afghan migrants from Pakistan has garnered global attention and condemnation. Before this, human rights organizations in Pakistan and Afghanistan had already called for cancelling Pakistan’s decision to expel Afghan migrants, reflecting growing concern over the situation.