Pakistan Sets June Deadline for Afghan Refugees with PoR Cards

According to Pakistani media reports, the country’s Interior Minister stated that after June 30, the official process of deporting Afghan refugees will resume.

Pakistan has set a deadline until the end of June for the voluntary return of Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards.

According to Pakistani media reports, the country’s Interior Minister stated that after June 30, the official process of deporting Afghan refugees will resume.

Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry: “Afghan refugees were and remain our guests. They are being sent back with full dignity and respect. This is part of Pakistan’s One Document Policy, under which 857,157 undocumented individuals — most of them Afghans — have already been repatriated since the policy’s enforcement.”

Mohammad Khan Mohammadzai, migrant rights activist: “This country is obligated under international law to provide services to these refugees and to fulfill its social responsibilities by facilitating their lives.”

In reaction to this decision, some Afghan refugees holding PoR cards have stated that they need more time to prepare for voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan.

Lal Rahman, Afghan refugee in Pakistan: “We have been living here for fifty to sixty years. Our problems must be addressed, and time should be given so Afghan refugees can gather their belongings, work, and lives to return to their homeland with preparation.”

Malik Mujahid Shinwari, another Afghan refugee in Pakistan: “There are 1.4 million refugees with PoR cards, some of whom have lived here for up to 46 years. During this time, they have established their livelihoods, and it is natural that they cannot relocate everything within a month or two.”

Meanwhile, the UNHCR has reported that nearly 120,000 Afghan refugees returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan in April alone.

Arafat Jamal, UNHCR representative in Afghanistan: “Some returnee Afghans have never set foot in their homeland. It is a country that continues to struggle after forty years of conflicts. Half the population here relies on humanitarian aid to meet basic needs.”

Meanwhile, the deportation of Afghan refugees holding ACC cards began on April 1. The World Health Organization also announced that in less than two weeks, over 130,000 Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan and Iran to Afghanistan.

Pakistan Sets June Deadline for Afghan Refugees with PoR Cards
read more

Afghan Immigration Case Holders Urge US Action on Immigration Delays

Some Afghans with US immigration cases are complaining about their uncertain situation in third countries.

A case holder who requested anonymity, said: “We hope our cases will be re-evaluated. A fair and comprehensive decision should be made regarding all those included in this program.”

This comes as the transfer of Afghans with US immigration cases has been suspended for the past three months.

Another case holder who requested anonymity added: “Others like me who only have approval and whose flights had not yet been scheduled or were still in the process of completing their immigration procedures, are now not eligible and are living in total uncertainty.”

Yesterday, the Axios website reported that the US Department of Homeland Security had sent emails to more than 200 Afghan asylum seekers in Iowa, asking them to immediately leave the country.

Ehsan Khan Ahmadzai, a migrant rights activist, said: “The US government should review its policy on these cases. It is necessary that Afghans are not left in this uncertain situation.”

This comes as Donald Trump, on his first day as US President, suspended immigration through an executive order for four months.

Afghan Immigration Case Holders Urge US Action on Immigration Delays
read more

Afghanistan’s Future in Focus at Russia’s Upcoming Security Conference

Political analysts said that whenever such conferences address the Afghanistan issue, the presence of representatives from the interim government is important.

Russia said the situation in Afghanistan is not only a regional issue but also part of the country’s global strategic interests.

Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, emphasized that the international Security Conference in Moscow scheduled from May 27 to 29 will be an opportunity to examine regional and global threats, including the situation in Afghanistan.

He stated: “Russia’s national interests at the global level encompass a wide range of issues—from the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Syria to our interests in the Arctic, the Baltic Sea, the situation surrounding Iran, and cooperation with African and Latin American countries.”

Shoigu also added that cooperation with neighboring countries and regional organizations such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Eurasian Economic Union will be key themes of the meeting.

Meanwhile, political analysts said that whenever such conferences address the Afghanistan issue, the presence of representatives from the interim government is important.

Edris Mohammadi Zazai, a political analyst, said: “The lack of recognition has created problems for ordinary people. In such meetings, the Islamic Emirate can defend its stance and move a step closer to recognition.”

Janat Faheem Chakari, another political analyst, said: “Countries need to think about how they can at least find a solution to regional political issues, so that gradually, global trust is built and suitable solutions for Afghanistan can be achieved.”

This comes as recent weeks have witnessed significant improvement in Kabul-Moscow relations. Russia’s Supreme Court temporarily suspended the designation of the “Taliban” as a banned group, and Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, visited Kabul.

Afghanistan’s Future in Focus at Russia’s Upcoming Security Conference
read more

Trump admin considers exempting Christians from its push to deport some Afghan refugees

Trump administration officials have discussed allowing some Afghan refugees to remain in the United States, days after a group of potentially vulnerable migrants from the war-torn country received emails from Customs and Border Protection revoking their humanitarian parole status, according to two administration officials familiar with the conversations.

The policy discussions come as prominent Christian leaders and nonprofit organizations have pressed the White House to protect what they say is a group of hundreds of at-risk Christian Afghan refugees — still a fraction of the thousands potentially facing deportation in the months ahead. The leaders argued they could face persecution if returned to Afghanistan, which has reverted to Taliban control after the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 — agreed to by President Donald Trump in his first term and executed by President Joe Biden.

Allowing even a fraction of those refugees to stay would mark a rare turnabout for an administration that has focused its efforts on removing temporary legal status for refugees from around the world as part of its deportation agenda. The push is unlikely to help Muslim Afghans, including those who helped American troops and civilians, who could also face dire consequences if they return to the country.

The Trump administration sent emails on April 11 to some Afghans who entered the United States after the Taliban takeover in 2021 and were granted temporary legal protections, revoking their parole and ordering them to leave the United States in seven days. But it’s unclear how many Afghans were affected by the directive — and the Department of Homeland Security would not confirm how many Afghans received the notice, or whether any of the emails were sent in error.

Administration officials have discussed ways the parole revocations could be modified to allow certain people to remain in the United States, according to one of the officials, granted anonymity to discuss the talks. Officials also floated an “exemption list” that identified people who may be most at risk if sent back to Afghanistan, the official said. It is still unclear if any specific policy change or reversal will take effect.

But both of the administration officials, granted anonymity to discuss policy considerations, said a final decision has not been made on any solutions for parole recipients. But there will likely be a push from the administration to urge Christian Afghans to apply for asylum — a message White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this week.

“If there are individuals here who came in through the Biden administration who want to claim asylum, there is a legal process to do that, and those cases will be adjudicated by a judge on a case by case basis,” said Leavitt, when asked Tuesday by a reporter if Trump would consider deportation exceptions for Afghans who may face death or torture upon returning to their home country.

Christian leaders lobby Trump

Among the Christian leaders pushing Trump on the issue was Franklin Graham, an evangelical megastar and part-time personal pastor to the president. Graham met with the president and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem last week, according to one of the officials and another person familiar with the meetings, granted anonymity to discuss the private conversations.

The dynamic has set up a policy conundrum for the Trump administration, which rarely faces pressure from allies on its efforts to curtail immigration. Trump has moved quickly to undo Biden administration policies, targeting TPS and parole programs, which he has accused the Biden administration of abusing.

But the circumstances under which the Afghan refugees entered the United States further complicate the politics for the president. Trump has long railed against Biden’s handling of the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, which resulted in the U.S. rushing to evacuate 82,000 Afghans from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. The crisis has left thousands of Afghans in legal limbo, as Congress has also failed to reach agreement on a solution for the refugees to have legal permanent residency and eventually citizenship.

Christian advocacy groups have also tried elevating their concern for refugees facing deportation to Trump’s administration. In a memo first obtained by POLITICO addressed to Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican members of Congress, the organizations ask the administration to consider a temporary pause on the termination of parole status for Christian Afghan refugees.

“We recommend that the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the President issue a 90-day pause on the decision to revoke the parole status or provide Temporary Protected Status to hundreds of Afghan Christian refugees seeking asylum legally within the United States of America,” the memo says.

One of the Christian refugees mentioned in an initial draft of the memo was tortured by the Taliban in 2021 and has since rebuilt his life in the United States as he awaits asylum adjudication. He is now facing deportation, the memo says.

The end of temporary legal protections

Afghan refugees who fled persecution after the U.S. withdrawal were granted temporary protections under three Biden-era programs. Thousands were granted humanitarian parole at the time through a program called Operation Allies Welcome, while others entered the United States through the CBP One app, which was launched in 2023 and allowed migrants seeking asylum to make appointments at ports of entry.

In addition to the thousands of Afghans granted humanitarian parole at the time, the Biden administration in 2022 also granted temporary protected status to Afghan nationals living in the United States without permanent legal status, citing armed conflict and insurgency in Afghanistan. The additional humanitarian protections were redundant for those already paroled into the United States but provided deportation relief to others who were not evacuated. The Trump administration also ended these protections earlier this month.

It remains unclear which Afghans have lost parole, and immigration advocates with Afghan clients say the notification process has been chaotic and confusing. An April 3 email from Customs and Border Protection was sent to some Afghan and Ukrainian refugees in error, the administration has confirmed in a court filing. But other Afghans received an April 11 notice — which mirrored the notices sent by mistake — revoking their temporary parole and giving them seven days to leave the country.

But even for Afghans whose parole hasn’t been terminated, their legal protections will begin to expire in the months ahead, starting in July and through October, said Shawn VanDiver, president and CEO of the nonprofit AfghanEvac.

Afghans who helped the U.S government during the war in Afghanistan have been able to settle in the U.S. over the years through the Special Immigrant Visa program, but the program is limited, and a number of Afghans are still in the process of obtaining more permanent status. The temporary protections provided more time, but now immigration groups are growing increasingly concerned about Afghans being forced to return under Taliban rule — especially those who worked with the U.S. or other western nations and fear retribution.

Many of these Afghans are Muslim, and would not be covered by any efforts by the Trump administration to protect Christian Afghans.

DHS did not answer multiple questions from POLITICO about the parole revocations, with DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin instead addressing Noem’s decision to end TPS — citing the “country’s improved security situation and its stabilizing economy no longer prevent Afghan nationals from returning to their home country.”

And on TPS, which an estimated 14,600 eligible Afghans will lose in May, McLaughlin added that it is “designed to be temporary” and that “DHS records indicate that there are Afghan nationals who are TPS recipients who have been the subject of administrative investigations for fraud, public safety, and national security.”

Trump has moved quickly to halt temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of migrants, efforts that have been stymied by the courts. The administration also ended legal protections for migrants from several countries from Central America, as well as parole for migrants who entered the country through the Biden administration’s CBP One app.

Dasha Burns and Sophia Cai contributed to this report.

Trump admin considers exempting Christians from its push to deport some Afghan refugees
read more

Rights Groups urge US action on Afghan Refugee Resettlement

Khaama Press

Rights groups are urging the U.S. government to take immediate action to facilitate the resettlement of Afghan refugees.

Human rights organizations have called on the United States to take urgent action to facilitate the transfer of Afghan refugees stranded in third countries. In an open letter sent to the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration on Wednesday, April 24, the organizations urged swift measures to address the ongoing crisis.

The letter highlighted the dire situation of Afghan refugees in third countries, especially in Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey. The prolonged uncertainty faced by these individuals is described as a clear violation of human rights and international obligations on the part of the United States.

Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the P1, P2, and SIV immigration programs were designed to assist Afghan refugees who had cooperated with U.S. forces. However, in January 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order suspending all refugee resettlement programs, including the cancellation of travel for over 1,600 Afghan refugees whose applications had already been approved.

This decision sparked widespread concern among human rights groups and international authorities. U.S. Congress representatives have called for a review of the policy and the resumption of immigration programs for Afghan refugees.

In their letter, the organizations emphasized the urgent need for the U.S. government to restart the vetting and resettlement processes for Afghan refugees. They warned that the continuation of the current situation not only violates the rights of refugees but also calls into question the United States’ commitment to its international obligations.

The organizations concluded that addressing the plight of Afghan refugees is essential not only for humanitarian reasons but also to restore the credibility of U.S. foreign policy and its dedication to global human rights.

Rights Groups urge US action on Afghan Refugee Resettlement
read more

WFP appeals $25 million to support Afghan returnees amid growing humanitarian crisis

Khaama Press

The World Food Programme urgently requests $25 million to address the escalating needs of Afghan returnees facing severe hardship.

The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that thousands of Afghan families are returning from Pakistan every day, facing food insecurity. The organization emphasized that millions in Afghanistan are grappling with severe hunger, and immediate aid of $25 million is needed to assist returnees.

On Wednesday, April 23, in a video shared on X, WFP’s head in Afghanistan, Munitnta Chimuka, visited the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan. During her visit, she highlighted the challenges faced by returnees, many of whom have spent their entire lives in Pakistan and are unfamiliar with Afghanistan.

Chimuka pointed out that many returnees lack income, employment, food, or shelter. This situation is worsening amidst Afghanistan’s deepening humanitarian crisis, which continues to strain the country’s resources.

The WFP stressed that thousands of families are forced to leave Pakistan, while 15 million people in Afghanistan are uncertain where their next meal will come from. The situation has become dire, with basic needs going unmet for a large portion of the population.

The head of WFP in Afghanistan also warned that current aid efforts are insufficient to support the returnees, and new financial resources are urgently needed to address their needs by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the pace of deportations and expulsions of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran, continues to increase. The Pakistani Ministry of Interior reported that over 100,000 Afghan migrants have been returned since April 1.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also raised alarms, noting that with around 5,000 migrants returning every week, millions of Afghans are facing poverty, homelessness, and difficult living conditions. The ongoing crisis underscores the urgency for international assistance and cooperation to mitigate the growing humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan.

The WFP’s appeal for emergency financial support highlights the need for immediate intervention to address both the challenges faced by Afghan returnees and the broader food security crisis in Afghanistan. Without significant global assistance, the situation is expected to worsen, with millions of lives at risk.

WFP appeals $25 million to support Afghan returnees amid growing humanitarian crisis
read more

Over 200 Afghan Refugees in Iowa ordered to leave US immediately

Over 200 Afghan refugees in Iowa have been ordered by U.S. authorities to leave the country immediately, facing legal action.

American media reports indicate that in April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent emails to over 200 Afghan refugees residing in Iowa, instructing them to leave the country immediately.

According to Axios, the emails, sent by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, begin with the statement, “It is time to leave the United States.” The messages warned that failure to leave voluntarily would result in detention, revocation of work permits, and potential legal action. One of the emails accessed by Axios concludes with the message, “Do not attempt to remain in the United States, the federal government will find you.”

These warnings were directed at refugees who entered the U.S. legally under humanitarian programs or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after the U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan and Kabul fell in 2021.

The Afghan Allies in Iowa organization, led by Zabihullah Safi, has stated that many of the recipients of these emails are former soldiers who fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan, putting them at risk of retaliation by the Taliban. Safi emphasized that these individuals have become active members of the community in Iowa, working, paying taxes, and having their children enrolled in schools and universities.

According to Axios, this action is part of a broader federal policy to end the temporary humanitarian parole status granted to Afghan refugees in 2021 and 2022. More than 900 such refugees were granted this status in Iowa.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed this development in a statement to Axios, asserting, “The presence of foreign nationals in the United States is a privilege, not a right. We act in the interests of the country and enforce the law.”

These developments reflect the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan refugees in the U.S. and the complexities of immigration policy, as well as the broader debate over humanitarian aid and asylum policies. As these issues unfold, many Afghan refugees in the U.S. remain in limbo, caught between their past sacrifices and uncertain futures.

Over 200 Afghan Refugees in Iowa ordered to leave US immediately
read more

10 Laws Endorsed by Islamic Emirate Leader in Past 3 Years

Meanwhile, some legal experts emphasized the crucial role of the constitution alongside other national laws.

The Ministry of Justice stated that over the past three years, ten new laws have been enacted in the country. Barakatullah Rasooli, the spokesperson for this ministry, said that these laws were enacted in various sectors following endorsement by the leader of the Islamic Emirate.

These laws include:

Law on Prevention of Land Grabbing

Law on Restitution of Grabbed Lands

Law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice

Law on Hearing Complaints

Law on Currency Exchange and Financial Services

Law on Industrial Zones

Law on Leasing Governmental Lands

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Justice stated: “Over the past three and a half years, the Ministry of Justice of the Islamic Emirate has published ten legal titles in official announcements after endorsement and enactment by the esteemed Amir-ul-Mu’minin, may Allah preserve him. The most significant among these are the laws on prevention of land grabbing, restitution of grabbed lands, promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, and hearing complaints.”

Meanwhile, some legal experts emphasized the crucial role of the constitution alongside other national laws.

Hiwad Zazai, a political analyst, stated: “A constitution is a fundamental need of a modern society. We live in a world where it is important both for governments and for nations. For governments, it matters in internal policy, domestic legitimacy, and in formulating foreign policy. For the people, it defines their responsibilities and obligations toward the system and governance.”

Asif Faqiri, a legal expert, said: “The constitution represents the collective will and conscience and is the embodiment of national sovereignty. This law outlines the structure of political power in the state, facilitates accountability, and guarantees minority rights.”

This comes as, since the rise to power of the Islamic Emirate, no official constitution has yet been drafted. However, officials from the interim government have stated that decisions are being made based on the country’s “Islamic laws.”

10 Laws Endorsed by Islamic Emirate Leader in Past 3 Years
read more

Lavrov Stresses Resolving Afghan Issues through Moscow, SCO

At a press conference in Uzbekistan, Lavrov dismissed the Doha process as ineffective in addressing Afghanistan’s challenges.

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, criticized the Doha process and stressed that Afghanistan’s issues should be resolved through the Moscow format and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

At a press conference in Uzbekistan, Lavrov dismissed the Doha process as ineffective in addressing Afghanistan’s challenges.

Lavrov stated: “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization also has a relevant mechanism that we actively use. The coordination of these frameworks helps Afghan officials better understand the recommendations from neighboring countries—recommendations aimed at achieving national consensus within Afghan society.”

The senior Russian official criticized Western efforts to intervene in Afghan affairs, adding that regional countries, along with Pakistan, share a unified stance opposing NATO’s military presence in the region.

Lavrov said: “The key point is to prevent efforts to reinstate NATO countries’ military infrastructure under various pretexts, as such efforts could act like a new time bomb. In our communications with Central Asian counterparts, we observe a shared position—none of them want to host NATO military infrastructure, and Pakistan shares the same stance.”

This is not the first time senior Russian officials have criticized Western involvement in Afghan matters. Previously, the head of Russia’s foreign intelligence agency emphasized in a meeting in Azerbaijan that Western countries aim to keep Afghanistan in turmoil for their geopolitical objectives.

Jannat Faheem Chakari, a political analyst, commented: “Currently, there is a significant rivalry between East and West. If we can manage this situation well, we could greatly benefit from this competition; however, if we make mistakes, Afghanistan may suffer greatly.”

Russia’s criticism of the West’s approach comes amid improvements in Kabul-Moscow relations, with ongoing discussions about the interim government appointing an ambassador-level diplomat to Moscow.

Lavrov Stresses Resolving Afghan Issues through Moscow, SCO
read more

Japan, OIC Stress Need to Expand Cooperation with Afghanistan

Representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Japan have discussed enhancing cooperation with Afghanistan and ways to strengthen humanitarian assistance to the country.

According to a statement from the OIC, both sides also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to address the urgent needs of the Afghan people.

The statement reads: “The meeting focused on the current situation in Afghanistan and discussed avenues for enhancing humanitarian cooperation between the OIC and Japan. Both sides affirmed the importance of continued collaboration to address the urgent needs of the Afghan people.”

Bilateral Omar, a political affairs expert, stated: “Afghanistan, as a member of the OIC and a Muslim-majority country with broad commonalities with other Islamic countries, should have a representative from the Islamic Emirate present in the organization to directly raise and address the country’s issues.”

Japan has been one of the key countries providing humanitarian and economic assistance to Afghanistan.

Experts said that the roles of Japan and the OIC are influential in improving the situation in Afghanistan.

Ferdaws Behgozin, an economic affairs expert, said: “Japan is considered one of Afghanistan’s important partners and has rendered valuable services to the Afghan people since 2001.”

Previously, the OIC’s special envoy had also emphasized the need for continued constructive dialogue with Afghanistan’s current authorities during a meeting with Turkish foreign ministry officials, in order to support the Afghan people.

Japan, OIC Stress Need to Expand Cooperation with Afghanistan
read more