Reuters reported that the Trump administration plans to deport Afghan immigrants, while a U.S. official said the route would pass through Pakistan because Washington lacks diplomatic ties with Taliban authorities.
The New York Times reported an expected deportation total exceeding 150 Afghan immigrants. It said immigration authorities had taken dozens into custody in Louisiana and that an initial flight could depart as early as Monday.
Reuters reported Friday that the plan had been described by a U.S. official alongside a coalition representing veterans and advocacy organizations.
Shawn VanDiver, founder and president of AfghanEvac, said many people facing removal had left Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in 2021 and U.S. forces withdrew. He said some are family members of Afghans who served alongside U.S. forces and could face danger from the Taliban. VanDiver asked lawmakers to establish temporary protected status for Afghans living in the United States, saying it would shield them from deportation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited operational security and declined to confirm future removal operations. President Donald Trump has said his administration’s immigration drive is intended to strengthen domestic security.
Reuters cited rights advocates who said the broader crackdown threatens due process and free expression. The outlet said some minority communities had voiced worries about being targeted through racial profiling. Reuters reported that, since 2023, the number of Afghan nationals Pakistan has returned to Afghanistan exceeds 2 million.
