Pakistan has suspended visa extensions for Afghan refugees, affecting thousands and raising concerns over forced deportations and human rights violations.

Pakistani media have reported that a major law enforcement body in Pakistan has suspended the visa extension process for all categories of Afghan refugees. This move comes amid an ongoing nationwide crackdown and mass deportations targeting Afghan migrants across the country.

Under the new directive, the security clearances required for visa renewal of Afghan refugees—including those who have lived in Pakistan for years—have been revoked. This decision directly affects the legal residency status of thousands of Afghans, including long-term residents.

Previously, Afghan migrants with specific documentation such as Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) were eligible for visa renewals. However, these extensions have now been completely suspended, leaving many in a state of legal uncertainty.

Security sources in Pakistan told local media that this measure is part of the broader policy to intensify the expulsion of undocumented migrants. Many individuals whose visas have not been renewed are now facing detention and forced deportation.

Since November 2023, Pakistan has launched a large-scale repatriation campaign against Afghan nationals, during which over 1.3 million people have reportedly been sent back to Afghanistan. This includes individuals who were residing in the country with valid identification.

Reports also indicate that even Afghans holding legal documents, such as ACCs, have been arrested and deported during police operations. This has raised alarm among refugee communities and human rights organizations.

The Afghanistan Refugee Council in Islamabad has warned that the suspension of visa renewals could lead to the deportation of hundreds of thousands more. Amnesty International and other human rights groups have condemned the policy, calling it a violation of international refugee and human rights laws.

In response, international observers are urging the Pakistani government to reconsider its position and resume visa processing for documented refugees. They stress that blanket deportations risk violating the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to places where they face serious threats.

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.

Thousands of Afghan refugees in California received urgent deportation letters, sparking fear and confusion amid ongoing immigration policy uncertainties.

In recent weeks, thousands of Afghan refugees residing in California have received deportation notices from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These letters demand that recipients leave the United States within seven days, warning that failure to comply will result in federal enforcement actions. The notices have caused widespread anxiety among the Afghan community, particularly in the Bay Area, which hosts one of the largest Afghan populations in the U.S.

Many of the affected individuals entered the U.S. under humanitarian parole after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. While some were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the Biden administration’s decision to provide immigration relief has been reversed. The DHS announced the termination of TPS for Afghanistan, effective July 12, 2025, citing improved conditions in the country. This move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement policies, which have drawn criticism from refugee advocacy groups.

The deportation notices have raised concerns due to their inconsistencies. Some letters lack personal identifiers such as names or case numbers, leading to confusion among recipients. In certain instances, individuals received follow-up letters stating that the initial notice was sent in error. These discrepancies have exacerbated the fear and uncertainty within the Afghan community.

Afghan community leaders and legal advocates are mobilizing to support those affected. Attorney Spojamie Nasiri reported that many of her clients have received the deportation notices, prompting widespread fear and reluctance to engage in daily activities. Community organizations are offering legal assistance and guidance to help individuals navigate the complex immigration landscape.

The situation highlights the precarious legal status of many Afghan evacuees. A report by CBS News revealed that over 36,000 Afghan evacuees lack a direct pathway to permanent legal status in the U.S., leaving them vulnerable to deportation if their asylum claims are unsuccessful. The proposed Afghan Adjustment Act, which aims to provide a legal pathway to permanent residency for these individuals, has stalled in Congress, leaving many in legal limbo.

The recent deportation notices to Afghan refugees in California underscore the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform. While the U.S. has a history of providing refuge to those fleeing persecution, the current policy shifts have placed many at risk of being returned to a volatile and dangerous environment.

It is imperative for lawmakers to act swiftly to pass legislation that offers a clear and permanent legal status to Afghan evacuees. Failure to do so not only betrays the promises made to those who risked their lives to assist U.S. efforts but also undermines the nation’s commitment to humanitarian values.

Joe Biden admitted keeping a classified Afghanistan document after his vice presidency, claiming it was for historical record and personal perspective.

Former President Joe Biden has revealed that he retained a classified document concerning Afghanistan after leaving the vice presidency, intending to preserve it for historical record. The document, reportedly found among his personal books, contains sensitive information about U.S. military and foreign policy in Afghanistan. Biden acknowledged keeping the document during a special counsel’s investigation, stating he wanted to “record history” and preserve his perspective on Afghanistan.

The document in question includes a 2009 handwritten memo to President Barack Obama, expressing Biden’s opposition to the proposed troop surge in Afghanistan. These materials were classified at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level and were discovered in a box in Biden’s Delaware garage, alongside other personal items. Photographs of the storage area showed the documents mixed with household items like a ladder and a wicker basket.

Despite the classified nature of the documents, the special counsel’s report concluded that no criminal charges were warranted. The report noted that Biden had the authority to keep classified documents at his home during his vice presidency and subsequent presidency. Investigators also found no evidence suggesting that Biden willfully retained the documents after leaving office.

The discovery of these documents has reignited debates over the handling of classified materials by public officials. While the special counsel’s report did not recommend charges, it highlighted concerns about the secure storage and management of sensitive information.

This incident adds to the ongoing scrutiny of Biden’s handling of classified materials, following previous revelations of documents found at his private office and other locations. The controversy continues to be a point of contention in political discussions, with critics questioning the adequacy of safeguards for classified information.

The retention of classified documents by former officials raises significant concerns about the security and handling of sensitive information. While legal conclusions may vary, the public’s trust in the management of such materials is paramount.

U.S. lawmakers are pushing Congress to approve 20,000 additional Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan allies at risk.

Representative Jason Crow (D-CO) has called on Congress to allocate 20,000 additional Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan nationals who assisted U.S. forces during the Afghanistan conflict. Crow emphasized the moral obligation to protect these individuals, many of whom face retribution from the Taliban due to their collaboration.

The proposal has garnered bipartisan backing, with over 100 members of the House of Representatives endorsing the request. The lawmakers argue that extending the SIV program is both a security imperative and a moral duty, ensuring that Afghan allies are not left vulnerable to extremist groups.

Despite the urgency, the SIV application process remains complex and time-consuming. Applicants must undergo rigorous security screenings, biometric data collection, and multiple interviews, leading to delays that leave many in precarious situations in Afghanistan or neighboring countries.

In March 2024, Congress authorized an additional 12,000 SIVs for Afghan allies, raising the program’s cap to 38,500 visas. However, this increase falls short of the 20,000 visas requested by lawmakers, leaving many applicants still awaiting processing.

Advocacy groups and veterans continue to press for legislative action to protect Afghan allies. The Afghan Allies Protection Act, introduced in 2023, seeks to extend the SIV program through 2029 and increase the number of available visas, addressing systemic issues and expediting the application process.

The call for an additional 20,000 SIVs underscores the United States’ commitment to honoring its promises to Afghan partners who risked their lives to support American efforts. As the situation in Afghanistan remains volatile, timely legislative action is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of these individuals.

It is imperative that Congress acts swiftly to pass the necessary legislation, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to those who stood by the United States during its mission in Afghanistan. Failure to do so would not only jeopardize the lives of Afghan allies but also tarnish the credibility of American promises abroad.