The Trump administration is pressing ahead with a plan to deport Afghan refugees to Pakistan, a move that critics say could place them in the hands of the Taliban, according to multiple reports. The operation, which involves detaining dozens of Afghan immigrants in Louisiana, is expected to result in the removal of more than 150 people, making it one of the largest single deportations of Afghans in recent years.
Because the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Afghanistan's Taliban-led government, direct deportation to Afghanistan is legally restricted. Instead, the administration intends to send the group to Pakistan, where they are widely expected to be transferred across the border into Afghanistan. The first flight could depart as early as Monday morning, according to NBC News.
The Hill has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. Bloomberg was the first to report the initial details of the plan, citing a government official with knowledge of the operation.
In previous cases, the U.S. has deported some Afghans to Afghanistan through intermediary countries, but those instances typically involved individuals with terrorism charges or other serious criminal convictions. This latest move appears to target refugees who may have no such links, raising concerns about their safety.
The plan is part of the broader crackdown on immigration that President Trump has championed. His administration has already halted refugee admissions and has deported thousands of people to countries where they have no ties. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of these third-country deportations later this term.
Democratic lawmakers have sharply condemned the move. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called it "reprehensible" and warned that deporting Afghans, including women and children, to Pakistan risks sending them back into Taliban hands. "Congress must stand against this," she said in a statement shared on social media.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, echoed those concerns. "We made a promise to our Afghan allies—that after aiding & protecting our troops during the conflict in Afghanistan, America would not abandon them," he wrote. "This Administration is betraying that promise, deporting them to potential torture & death."
The deportations come as the administration continues to face legal challenges over its immigration policies. The Supreme Court's upcoming ruling could have significant implications for how the government handles deportations to countries without formal diplomatic ties.
Advocates for Afghan refugees have urged the administration to reconsider, arguing that many of those targeted have supported U.S. forces and face grave danger if returned. The situation remains fluid, with officials monitoring the legal and logistical hurdles ahead.
