Iran to expel 2.5 million undocumented Afghan migrants by year-end
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.
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