The Federation for Immigration Reform in the U.S. has reported a significant increase in the number of Afghan migrants crossing a key immigration passage at the Panama-Colombia border in their attempt to reach the U.S.
According to the report, which was published on Tuesday, November 26, the number of Afghan migrants has increased from 98 individuals between 2010 and 2020 to 8,294 individuals between 2021 and 2024.
This sharp increase in migration to the United States has occurred during the period of Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Following the return of the Taliban to power in August 2021, international reports indicate that over eight million people have fled Afghanistan. This unprecedented “mass migration” has been described as a major humanitarian crisis.
The Federation for Immigration Reform in the U.S. also highlighted the trend of increased migration through the Darien Gap over the past four years (2021-2024) compared to the previous decade (2010-2020).
The report particularly expressed concern about migrants from Afghanistan and China. There has been increased concern about Afghan migrants in the U.S. after American forces thwarted a terrorist attack by an Afghan national during the U.S. elections.
Some U.S. senators are worried that the Chinese government might be using migrants as a means of espionage within the country.
The rise in Afghan migration can be seen as part of a broader trend of displacement caused by conflict, political instability, and economic hardship in many regions of the world. As the number of Afghan refugees continues to grow, the international community faces a pressing challenge in providing adequate support and ensuring that migrants are treated with dignity and respect.
The issue also raises important questions about migration policies and security concerns, particularly in the U.S., where the increasing number of migrants from countries like Afghanistan and China has prompted discussions about national security. Moving forward, there needs to be a balance between humanitarian aid and security measures to address both the needs of refugees and the safety concerns of host nations.
Sharp rise in Afghan migrants crossing Panama-Colombia border to reach US
According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, based on a decision by the ECO Secretariat, the Islamic Emirate has not been invited to participate in the meeting.
The meeting of foreign ministers from member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is scheduled to take place on December 3-4 in Mashhad, Iran.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that, based on a decision by the ECO Secretariat, the Islamic Emirate has not been invited to participate in the meeting.
So far, the Islamic Emirate has not commented on the matter.
Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, First Deputy of the Chamber of Industries and Mines, said: “Most countries want stable economic relations and cooperation with the region, including Afghanistan. However, some countries believe Afghanistan should be invited. Political issues may still be the reason for Afghanistan not being invited to this meeting.”
According to Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, key topics of discussion at this meeting will include expanding intra-regional cooperation in areas such as transportation, the environment, and tourism.
Some economic experts believe that having Afghanistan represented at regional economic meetings is of great importance in the current context.
Shams-ur-Rahman Ahmadi, an economic expert, said: “A representative of the Islamic Emirate should have been invited to this ECO meeting.”
Abdul Nasir Rashtya, another economic expert, stated: “Afghanistan is a prominent member of the ECO, and without its cooperation, the organization cannot achieve its pre-defined goals. Afghanistan’s position as a connection point among member countries is crucial.”
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was established in 1985 by Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan with the aim of strengthening economic, trade, and cultural cooperation among member states.
The organization expanded in 1992 to include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as members.
ECO now has 10 member states and is considered one of the key regional cooperation organizations in Central and Western Asia.
Islamic Emirate Not Invited to ECO Foreign Ministers Meeting
Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue was recently selected to lead the U.S. Army’s Europe Command as the war in Ukraine heads into its fourth year.
A Republican senator is blocking the promotion of Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, the commander of U.S. troops in the final days of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, in what could be the first salvo in a Trump administration war against America’s generals.
Senator Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma, put a hold on General Donahue’s promotion to four stars, or general, after his nomination was sent to the Armed Services Committee last week, officials said.
Sabrina Singh, a spokeswoman for the Pentagon, told reporters on Monday that the Defense Department was “aware” of the hold.
General Donahue was the last American service member to depart Afghanistan as Taliban fighters took control on Aug. 31, 2021. A decorated former Delta Force commander, Army Ranger and paratrooper with multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, he was recently selected to lead the U.S. Army’s Europe Command as the war in Ukraine heads into its fourth year.
General Donahue has long been seen as a likely candidate to eventually become the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the military’s most senior position.
Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host whom President-elect Donald J. Trump has selected as his defense secretary, has indicated that he wants to fire Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., an Air Force fighter pilot who is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump transition officials have said they plan to go after generals in the Pentagon for a list of perceived crimes, including taking part in the Afghanistan evacuation and promoting diversity in the ranks.
And NBC News reported that the Trump transition team is exploring whether generals who were involved in the Afghanistan evacuation can be court-martialed, although it is unclear how they could be held culpable for following lawful orders from the commander in chief.
But if that purge includes General Donohue, 55, who is known throughout the military as “C.D.” and who led the Army’s successful rush to speed aid to Ukraine in the early days of the Russian invasion, then the American military may soon see a wholesale change in leadership.
“I fought alongside C.D. in some of the most dangerous fighting along the Syrian border and can personally vouch for his individual bravery and leadership,” said Doug Philippone, who spent 18 years in the Army and was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan and is a co-founder of the venture capital firm Snowpoint Ventures.
General Donahue, Mr. Philippone said, “is one of the few generals that are pushing full steam against the bureaucracy to innovate and modernize our military.”
A spokesperson for Mr. Mullin’s office declined to comment.
The Oklahoma senator has been a vocal critic of the Afghanistan evacuation, a process that began during the first administration of Mr. Trump, who signed an agreement with the Taliban in February 2020 stipulating that American troops would leave Afghanistan by May 1, 2021.
But Mr. Mullin has reserved his criticism for the Biden administration, which carried out the Afghan withdrawal. In 2021, as a GOP congressman, Mr. Mullin posted a photo of himself on Instagram saying he was headed home from “helping get Americans out of Afghanistan.”
He wrote then: “President Biden and his administration are absolutely lying to the American people about Americans and our friends being left behind.”
For his part, General Donahue arrived at Kabul international airport on Aug. 18, three days after the Afghan capital fell to the Taliban. In front of him was an impossible puzzle: a sprawling airport besieged by desperate people trying to flee and not enough troops to carry out an orderly end to America’s longest war.
Days later, on Aug. 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at the airport’s Abbey Gate killed 13 U.S. service members and scores of Afghan civilians. General Donahue was not responsible for that part of the airport when the attack occurred.
His soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division held the airport for the final 48 hours of the U.S. mission and managed to evacuate Afghan and American citizens despite limited resources.
General Donahue was the commander on the ground on Aug. 29 when an American MQ-9 Reaper drone shot a Hellfire missile at a white Toyota Corolla in a neighborhood near the airport. The Pentagon at the time said the car was filled with bombs but later acknowledged that 10 civilians had been killed and that the car was carrying water bottles and posed no threat.
General Donahue’s supporters say he was dealt an impossible hand in Afghanistan at a time when civilian leaders had put the American military in an impossible position.
Withholding General Donahue’s promotion is both a “disservice” to him and “a slap in the face to the soldiers that spend their career fighting the wars of the last 25 years,” said Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East.
“Politicians and policymakers should be held responsible for their own decisions, not those honor bound to carrying them out,” Mr. Mulroy said. “That hold on Chris Donahue’s promotion should be removed immediately.”
A company commander who was at the airport during the evacuation said it was “nuts” that General Donahue’s promotion was being delayed and that the troops who were on the ground that day should not be punished for what happened.
Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., who was head of U.S. Central Command during the American evacuation of Afghanistan, called General Donahue “one of the finest officers the U.S. Army has ever produced.”
General Donahue is the “commander you want in a tough situation,” General McKenzie said. “In short, he’s the best we’ve got.”
Julian E. Barnes contributed reporting.
G.O.P. Senator Blocking Promotion of General Who Commanded Afghan Withdrawal
The Taliban-led foreign ministry said the arrest figure was “exaggerated” and that those arrested had committed a crime.
The United Nations’ mission to Afghanistan said Tuesday that the ruling Taliban had arbitrarily detained journalists 256 times since their takeover three years ago and urged authorities there to protect the media.
In a reply accompanying the report, the Taliban-led foreign ministry denied having arrested that number of journalists and added that those arrested had committed a crime.
Journalists in Afghanistan worked under “challenging conditions”, the U.N. mission (UNAMA) and the U.N. Human Rights Office said in a statement.
“They often face unclear rules on what they can and cannot report, running the risk of intimidation and arbitrary detention for perceived criticism,” said Roza Otunbayeva, the special representative of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“We urge the de facto authorities to ensure the safety and security of all journalists and media workers as they carry out their tasks, and to fully recognize the importance of women working in the media,” she added.
In its response, the ministry said women continued to work in the media, subject to certain conditions to meet religious morality rules, such as covering their faces and working separately from men.
It described the U.N. report as being “far from actual realities” and said security forces were working to protect journalists. The Afghan information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The foreign ministry said the arrest figure was “exaggerated” and detentions took place subject to law.
“No one is arrested arbitrarily,” it said, listing the infringements of those detained.
These ranged from encouraging people to act against the system, defaming the government and providing false and baseless reports, to co-operation with the system’s enemies in the media, and providing material to media outlets against the system, it added.
The Taliban swept to power in 2021 as foreign forces withdrew, vowing to restore security and impose their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Their administration has not been officially recognized by any foreign government and Western diplomats have said the path to recognition is being stalled by the Taliban’s curbs on women.
Taliban detained journalists over 250 times in Afghanistan since takeover, U.N. says
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has announced that the plan to strengthen the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan will be approved in the next two days.
Azerbaijani media reported on Tuesday, November 26, that the CSTO is set to approve this plan on November 28.
The report was based on statements from Imangali Tasmagambetov, the Secretary-General of the CSTO.
Previously, the Secretary-General had mentioned that the draft plan to reinforce the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan had been reviewed and agreed upon by the CSTO member states.
He emphasized that this plan plays a crucial role in ensuring the security of Central Asia as a whole, adding that the decision to develop this plan was made 13 years ago.
According to a report by RIA Novosti, the plan includes several stages, such as clarifying capabilities, practical implementation, full deployment along the border, and the possibility of adjusting weapon ranges for several years.
The Collective Security Treaty was signed in May 1992 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and its members include Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
The strengthening of the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border reflects growing concerns over regional security, especially following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.
This initiative comes as part of the CSTO’s broader efforts to address instability in Central Asia, which has been exacerbated by the potential flow of refugees and militants from Afghanistan.
While the plan aims to enhance border security, there are concerns about the impact on local communities and trade, as well as the humanitarian consequences for Afghan refugees seeking refuge in Tajikistan.
The international community must ensure that any security measures do not compromise the rights of vulnerable populations and contribute to long-term peace and stability in the region.
CSTO to approve plan strengthening Tajikistan-Afghanistan Border Security
The Khaama Press podcast talks about climate change in Afghanistan and its effects. Najibullah Sadid, an expert in water management, discusses the problems caused by climate change in the country.
In its latest report, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned about the “adverse” impacts of climate change in Afghanistan. According to international experts quoted in the report, the average temperature in Afghanistan is expected to rise by 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.
This report, which was released on Tuesday, November 26, reveals that Afghanistan is among the top 10 countries that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. It also highlights that the country has minimal resources to combat these changes.
The ICRC, citing international experts, reports that Afghanistan’s average temperature may rise by 1.8 to 1.9 degrees Celsius by 2050, which would be considered the most critical scenario for the region. This would lead to “adverse consequences” for the country.
The increase in temperature is attributed to the reduction of glaciers and snow coverage in the Hindu Kush and Pamir mountains, which are vital water sources. One of the most serious consequences of this is the scarcity of fresh water.
The report also mentions that climate change in Afghanistan has intensified humanitarian challenges. Decades of conflict and violence in the country have weakened its capacity to cope with the effects of climate change.
The combination of Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate change and its lack of resources to address it creates a dire situation for the country. The increase in temperature and loss of glaciers threaten the availability of freshwater, which is essential for the survival of the population.
Addressing climate change in Afghanistan will require both local and international efforts. Strengthening the country’s resilience to these environmental changes, improving water management systems, and providing humanitarian aid will be crucial steps to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on the Afghan population.
Red Cross warns of adverse effects of climate change in Afghanistan
Ahmad Masoumifar, the head of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative office, has warned that by the end of this year, 2.5 million undocumented Afghan migrants will be expelled from Iran.
According to the state-run news agency IRNA, the reduction in the entry of illegal Afghan migrants into Iran has been significant.
He emphasized that the deportation of unauthorized nationals does not require an agreement with any country and that, based on decisions made within the Iranian system, Afghan nationals without legal documentation must leave Iran.
The Iranian official also stated, “If their return is voluntary, that is preferred; otherwise, the relevant authorities will take action.”
The report mentioned that the de facto administration also understands this situation and it is natural for them not to defend individuals who have entered Iran illegally and remained there.
In recent months, the process of expelling Afghan migrants from Iran has intensified.
According to statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), currently, 4.5 million Afghan migrants, both with legal migration documents, long-term visas, or no legal documentation, are living in Iran.
The Iranian government’s decision to expel undocumented Afghan migrants has sparked significant concerns about the well-being of those affected. Many fear the hardship they will face upon their return to Afghanistan, which remains in a state of instability and economic difficulty.
While Iran justifies these measures on the basis of maintaining national security and managing migration flows, the issue also raises questions about regional cooperation and the role of international organizations in supporting vulnerable populations. As the deadline for expulsion approaches, the situation is likely to remain a sensitive and complex issue for both Iran and Afghanistan.
Iran to expel 2.5 million undocumented Afghan migrants by year-end
Yue explained that China’s efforts have contributed to a growing consensus among nations to engage with the Islamic Emirate.
Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, said that China is engaging in consultations with regional countries regarding the recognition of Afghanistan’s caretaker government.
In an exclusive interview with TOLOnews, Yue explained that China’s efforts have contributed to a growing consensus among nations to engage with the Islamic Emirate.
“The recognition issue, the time will be right when it will be realized. China to do this, I would think, will have the full consultation not only with you, but also with the neighbors and with the regional countries. The good thing is, now, after China’s effort, together with the neighbors, together with the regional efforts and the regional countries, and actually together with your internal government,” he said.
The Chinese envoy also addressed concerns from certain countries regarding the presence of specific groups in Afghanistan, which could affect Kabul’s relations with them. He emphasized the importance of resolving this issue in a way that satisfies those nations.
Regarding tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, Yue emphasized that the two countries could resolve their issues without the intervention of a third party.
He added: “Our policy for both Pakistan and Afghanistan are the same, that is to build together the shared future of the neighbors, the shared future of the region, the shared future of all of us in this region, for stability, peace, reconstruction, and common prosperity.”
Yue Xiaoyong further noted that despite its challenges, Afghanistan has become a regional economic hub.
He remarked: “It is very attractive. This country turned from what you suffered in the past as an outside big power’s wrestling center, whatever you call it, become the hub of economic development, or some other countries call it hub of economic connectivity.”
The Chinese envoy also highlighted that trade between Kabul and Beijing in 2023 had increased by 125% compared to the previous year.
Yue Xiaoyong: Beijing in Dialogue Over Islamic Emirate Recognition
After three years into the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate’s rule in the country, the media law and other related media regulations have yet to be ratified.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has released a report detailing the state of the media in the country over the past three years.
The report, which covers four main sections: access to information, media closures, restrictions, and the status of women in media, highlights that the lack of clear procedures and the use of arbitrary arrests and detentions have had a negative impact on freedom of expression.
“The report, titled Media Freedom in Afghanistan, covers the period from 15 August 2021 to 30 September 2024. During this period, it documented instances of human rights violations affecting 336 journalists and media workers – including 256 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention, 130 instances of torture and ill-treatment, and 75 instances of threats or intimidation,” UMAMA said.
Zabihullah Sharifi, a journalist, said: “Access to information is crucial for journalists in order to provide accurate reporting. The demand from journalists and the media community is for the government to provide the necessary facilities and not impose any restrictions in this regard.”
The UNAMA report further said that before August 2021, 543 media outlets with over 10,000 employees were operating in Afghanistan. However, by November 2021, about 43% of these outlets ceased operations, and the number of media employees decreased to 4,360, with 84% of female media workers losing their jobs.
In response, the Ministry of Information and Culture has rejected the report, saying that it has made considerable efforts to ensure access to information. The ministry also claimed that no journalist has been detained for media-related activities in the past three years.
Khabib Ghafran, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, said: “These reports attempt to associate incidents unrelated to journalism or issues related to security with the work of journalists. However, this is not the case, and no journalist has been detained as a journalist.”
It should be noted that more than three years into the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate’s rule in the country, the media law and other related media regulations have yet to be ratified.
UNAMA Reports Challenges Facing Media Freedom in Afghanistan
Nila Ibrahimi beat 165 other nominees to be named this year’s International Children’s Peace Prize winner
When Nila Ibrahimi set out to build a website telling the stories of Afghan girls, it wasn’t just to give them a voice.
The 17-year-old Afghan refugee was also determined to remind her fellow Gen Zs in her adopted country, Canada, that they were similar – they even listened to Taylor Swift just like other teenage girls around the world.
“I want to make them as real as possible so that other people, especially young people, Gen Z specifically, can put themselves in their shoes,” she told the BBC.
Nila spoke to the BBC earlier this week, before picking up the International Children’s Peace Prize previously won by education campaignerMalala Yousafzai and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
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The rules Afghan women are living under in Afghanistan have been described as “gender apartheid” by the United Nations
Nila’s is, perhaps, not an easy task. The plight of Afghanistan’s women and girls can feel a world away to young people living in Canada, where Nila found a home after fleeing her home country as the Taliban took over three years ago.
In that time, the Taliban have banned teenage girls from education, banned women from travelling long distances without a male chaperone, and now ordered them to keep their voices down in public – effectively silencing half the population.
The Taliban have defended the rulings to the BBC previously by saying they align with religious texts.
“The differences [between Afghanistan and Canada] are vast, so it makes it hard for them to feel connected,” acknowledges Nila.
That is why she helped set up HerStory – a place where she and others help share the stories of Afghan women and girls in their own words, both inside and out of the country.
“So many times we are lost in the differences that we don’t see the similarities and that’s our goal, to show that to the world.”
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Nila Ibrahim was chosen from 165 nominees as the 20th winner of the prestigious prize.
The award recognises not just the work done on HerStory, but also her passion for standing up for women’s rights in Afghanistan.
Nila’s first stand for women’s rights came in March 2021, when she joined other young Afghan girls in sharing a video of her singing online.
“That was when I really understood the importance of performing, the importance of speaking up and talking about these issues,” explains Nila, who was part of a group called Sound of Afghanistan.
But less than six months later, everything would change – and, aged 14, she would have to flee with her family as the Taliban arrived.
The family – who are part of Afghanistan’s Hazara minority – made the difficult journey to Pakistan, where they spent a year before being granted asylum in Canada.
‘If we can’t speak, why live?’ – BBC meets women after new Taliban law
Taliban defends new law that curbs women’s freedoms
‘We don’t live, we’re just alive’: Afghan girls despair at Taliban school ban
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It was, after 12 months without education, a “breath of fresh air”, she says.
There, Nila was reunited with her friends from the singing group.
She was also invited to speak at events, about her experiences of Afghanistan, allowing her to advocate for all the girls left behind.
People, she says, were surprised at how eloquent she was. But Nila knew there were millions of women and girls in Afghanistan who were just as capable – although with less access to the opportunities she had.
“So I thought if my potential can surprise these people and they don’t know about how educated girls from Afghanistan can be, what if that information was accessible to them?”
Afghan women have faced increasing restrictions since the Taliban returned to power – including on how loud they can be in public
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HerStory – the website which grew out of this thought – started in 2023. It features interviews and first person accounts from both refugees and women inside Afghanistan.
The idea is to create a safe space where a group of people who “grew up with the stories of the first period of Taliban and how horrible the lives of women were at the time” share their stories – and their “shock and anger” at finding themselves in an increasingly similar situation.
The anger is a feeling Nila tries to keep separate from her work.
“When you see Afghanistan going back in time in 20 years, of course it makes you fear,” she says.
“It’s a shared feeling. It’s a shared experience for girls anywhere.”
The award, she says, is a chance for Afghan girls to once again remind the world about the restrictions they face on a daily basis – a reminder “not to forget Afghan girls”.
Marc Dullaert, founder of the KidsRights Foundation, which runs the award, pointed out that a “staggering” number of young women were currently being excluded from education.
“Nila’s inspirational work to provide them with a voice that will be heard across the world makes her a truly worthy winner of this year’s 20th International Peace Prize,” he added.
It is also a reminder that her generation – while young – can make a difference, Nila hopes.
“I think so many times when we talk about issues and different causes, we talk about it with the very adult like approach of oh, this is very serious,” she says.
“The world is a very scary place, but there is an approach that is more Gen Z-like… and we can take little steps and… do whatever we can.”
‘Don’t forget us’: Teenage refugee reminds Gen Z of silenced Afghan girls
Afghanistan Peace Campaign
