Local authorities in Herat report a significant surge in the forced deportation and return of Afghan migrants from Iran in recent days.
According to statistics, up to 5,000 individuals are entering Afghanistan daily through the Islam Qala border crossing.
Abdul Ghani Kamel, head of the migrant services committee at Islam Qala, stated: “These migrants are compelled to leave Iran. Many had no intention of returning to Afghanistan when they migrated, but they face coercion and pressure there.
The family breadwinner is detained and deported, forcing the rest of the family to follow.
Even women are detained and expelled alone by Iranian authorities, leaving other family members with no choice but to return after them.”Several deported migrants have shared that their families remain in Iran, while they were detained and forcibly removed by Iranian police.
These abrupt separations have caused significant emotional and financial hardship.
Many of these migrants, who had worked and lived in Iran for years, are now returning to Afghanistan empty-handed and unprepared.
This wave of deportations comes at a time when Afghanistan’s economic and security situation remains fragile, placing additional strain on the country’s limited resources.
Local authorities in Herat have called for increased attention from international organizations and the government to provide essential services such as shelter, food, and healthcare for returnees.
Many deported migrants express concerns over the lack of job opportunities and basic facilities in Afghanistan, facing an uncertain future.
The escalating deportations highlight the challenges faced by Afghan migrants, caught between harsh policies abroad and limited prospects at home.
Urgent action is needed to address the humanitarian needs of these returnees and to mitigate the broader impact on Afghanistan’s already strained infrastructure.
