Over 100,000 Afghans now reside in France, benefiting from protective asylum policies amid rising migration since the Taliban takeover.

In an interview with InfoMigrants on June 12, Leschi noted that Afghans have consistently ranked among the top ten nationalities holding long-term residency in France over the past decade. Their presence has grown steadily, particularly after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.

According to Leschi, Afghan refugees in France benefit from a relatively protective asylum system. He explained that while most Afghan asylum seekers are low-educated young men, a significant proportion of Afghan women arriving in France possess higher education, indicating a diverse demographic profile within the community.

He further added that in 2014, only 472 asylum applications were submitted by Afghans, but this number surged to over 17,500 in 2023, illustrating a dramatic rise in migration in the wake of Afghanistan’s political and humanitarian crisis.

As France continues to manage this demographic shift, the government is expected to balance humanitarian obligations with integration policies, ensuring safety and opportunity for Afghans, while maintaining social cohesion.

Over 10 million Afghans are displaced, UNHCR reports, as global forced migration reaches 122 million due to conflict and persecution.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that the number of people forcibly displaced by war, violence, and persecution worldwide has surpassed 122 million. The figure, released on Thursday in the agency’s annual report, marks a sharp increase of 2 million compared to the previous year and has nearly doubled over the past decade.

According to the report, over 10 million Afghans have been forcibly displaced, making Afghanistan one of the top three countries contributing to the global refugee and internally displaced population. The situation in Afghanistan remains dire due to a mix of long-standing conflict, economic instability, and recurring natural disasters such as drought.

Sudan currently accounts for the highest number of displaced people globally, with more than 14 million individuals affected. Syria follows with 13.5 million, Afghanistan with 10.3 million, and Ukraine with around 8.8 million, reflecting the ongoing toll of protracted crises and wars on civilian populations.

Afghanistan has faced more than forty years of war, from the Soviet invasion to civil war, U.S. intervention, and the Taliban’s return. These conflicts have forced millions to flee, mostly to Iran, Pakistan, and parts of Europe.

The UNHCR warns that recent forced repatriations of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan are occurring under unsafe conditions. Thousands are being returned daily despite political instability and lack of infrastructure to support their reintegration.

With limited access to basic services, housing, and employment, returning Afghans face extreme vulnerability. The international community is urged to address the root causes of displacement and provide adequate support to both displaced populations and host countries.

The U.S. Justice Department revealed that 55 Afghan refugees were flagged on the terror watchlist during entry or resettlement screenings.

According to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), released Tuesday, June 11, security alerts and intelligence warnings related to these individuals were overlooked or mishandled during vetting by the Department of Homeland Security between August 2021 and May 2023. Some of the flagged individuals remained under surveillance even after entering the country.

The OIG report confirms that, as of July 2024, at least nine individuals remain on federal security monitoring lists, raising concerns about long-term risks and accountability in the refugee screening process.

In a strong rebuke, Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, stated that “the Biden administration put American lives at risk” by ignoring previous warnings and failing to address known vulnerabilities in the vetting process.

These findings have reignited debates over the U.S. evacuation and refugee resettlement policy post-Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Critics argue that while the humanitarian urgency was understandable, the vetting infrastructure was unprepared, compromising national security.

As the Biden administration continues to defend its handling of Afghan resettlement, calls for reform and stricter screening procedures are growing, especially with thousands of Afghan allies still awaiting entry through Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and humanitarian parole pathways.

Afghanistan remains heavily contaminated with landmines, putting 6.4 million people at risk, mostly children, warns the HALO Trust.

In a statement released on Tuesday, June 10, HALO Trust urged the international community to maintain its support for mine clearance in Afghanistan. The organization emphasized that decades of conflict have left vast areas littered with unexploded ordnance, posing a long-term threat to civilian lives.

Farid Hamayoun, a senior official with HALO Trust, cautioned that the crisis must not become a “forgotten humanitarian issue.” He stressed the urgent need for sustained global attention and funding to ensure continued progress in demining efforts.

The organization highlighted that 80% of victims of unexploded mines in Afghanistan are children. The lack of awareness and safe play areas in rural communities often results in tragic accidents, especially among minors.

Despite progress, explosive remnants from decades of war continue to claim lives in various provinces. Children, in particular, remain the most vulnerable, as many of the unexploded devices resemble toys or ordinary objects.

Experts warn that without renewed international support, clearance operations may slow, putting millions of Afghans at even greater risk. Humanitarian organizations are calling for long-term investment in mine education, victim support, and advanced demining technology.

As Afghanistan faces political and economic uncertainty, aid groups argue that protecting civilians from explosive threats is not only a safety issue but a vital step toward national recovery and stability.