Afghanistan Peace Campaign
Iran’s Interior Minister stressed the urgent need to deport around two million undocumented Afghan migrants due to limited national capacity.
Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, has said the country cannot host undocumented Afghan migrants. He stated that those without legal documents must return to Afghanistan.
Momeni estimated around two million undocumented Afghans currently live in Iran. He claimed that these migrants occupy many jobs that could go to Iranians.
Iran has ramped up efforts to deport Afghan migrants. Authorities plan to expel large numbers by early 2025. Many deported Afghans, however, have reportedly returned to Iran.
Pakistan has also deported over a million undocumented Afghans in the past 18 months. The UN has raised concerns about human rights violations in this process.
Many Afghans are fleeing due to unemployment, Taliban restrictions, and insecurity. These conditions force them to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
The mass deportations of Afghan migrants by neighboring countries highlight the urgent need for a coordinated regional approach to address migration issues. While border control and immigration enforcement are essential, they must be balanced with respect for human rights and humanitarian considerations.
Furthermore, addressing the underlying factors driving migration, such as insecurity, lack of economic opportunities, and political instability in Afghanistan, is vital.