Politics
Trump administration reportedly plans Afghan deportations to Pakistan despite Taliban risk
Court filings and advocates say a charter flight could occur as early as Monday, amid warnings of Taliban retaliation.
The short version
- The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to deport dozens of Afghan immigrants and asylum seekers to Pakistan on a charter flight.[NBC News]
- A senior ICE official acknowledged in a court filing that an Afghan immigrant was scheduled for a charter flight to Pakistan, with onward transport to Afghanistan.[ABC News]
- Advocates warn deportees could face Taliban retaliation, and the unannounced flight could occur as early as Monday.[NBC News · ABC News]
Key facts
- A senior administration official told NBC News the administration is preparing to deport dozens of Afghan immigrants and asylum seekers to Pakistan on a charter flight.[NBC News]
- The proposed flight has not been publicly announced and could take place as early as Monday, according to rights advocates and families of detainees.[NBC News]
- An ICE official acknowledged in a federal court filing in Virginia that an Afghan immigrant was scheduled for a charter flight from Louisiana to Pakistan, with onward transport to Afghanistan.[ABC News]
- AfghanEvac president Shawn VanDiver said at least 80 Afghans have recently been moved to Louisiana from 34 other ICE facilities, 19 of them without legal representation.[NBC News]
- Immigrant rights organizations say deportees could face retaliation from the Taliban if returned to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.[NBC News · ABC News]
- Human Rights First said it confirmed a scheduled flight from Louisiana to Pakistan on Tuesday carrying Afghan immigrants.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- Reports differ on timing: advocates cite a flight as early as Monday, while Human Rights First cited a scheduled flight on Tuesday.[NBC News · ABC News]
- It is unclear what formal agreement, if any, the U.S. has with Pakistan regarding the flights.[NBC News]
- Whether Pakistan would return deportees to Afghanistan is not confirmed; advocates say it is widely expected.[NBC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.