Trump plans to deport Afghans from US; Pakistan involved?

Washington: The Trump administration is preparing to deport around 150 Afghan migrants from the United States, triggering serious concerns that their return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan could put their lives at risk, according to reports.

Human rights organisations and refugee advocacy groups have warned that those being sent back could face persecution and reprisals.

The first deportation flight could leave as early as Monday, according to reports citing US officials. Since Washington has no diplomatic relations with the Taliban government, the administration is reportedly planning to use Pakistan as an intermediary, sending the Afghans there before transferring them across the border into Afghanistan.

Those affected were reportedly moved from various US facilities to detention centres in Louisiana ahead of the deportations. The US government has not officially announced the plan.

The group reportedly includes relatives of Afghans who assisted the US military. Some had fled Afghanistan after the Taliban regained power in 2021 and were granted special immigration visas by the US.

Sean VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, has warned that the Taliban could target family members of former US military allies in retaliation.

Pakistan's involvement has further heightened concerns. Since 2023, the country has forced more than 2.7 million Afghans to leave and continues to detain and deport those without valid visas. Islamabad has also indicated its intention to return the approximately 1.5 million Afghans still living in the country.

Human rights groups are urging Washington to halt the deportations and ensure legal protection for those facing removal. The US Department of Homeland Security and Taliban authorities have not officially commented.