US lawmakers urge Trump administration to halt Afghan deportations

Sixty-six US lawmakers have urged President Donald Trump’s administration to stop the planned deportation of Afghans, including former allies who worked alongside American and coalition forces before the 2021 withdrawal.

In a letter sent Monday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, lawmakers cited reports that at least 150 Afghans were due to be transferred from detention facilities in Louisiana to Pakistan from Tuesday.

They warned that returning Afghans to the region could expose them and their families to persecution because of their links to the former Afghan government and US forces.

“Our country made a promise never to abandon the Afghans who sacrificed their own and their family’s safety to stand with American service members,” the lawmakers wrote.

Human Rights First confirmed that a flight carrying some of the detainees from Alexandria, Louisiana, to Pakistan was scheduled for Tuesday.

Advocacy groups say many of those facing deportation have struggled to challenge their removal in court because they lacked legal representation. Some previously served in Afghanistan’s security forces or worked with US personnel.

The deportations come amid the Trump administration’s wider immigration crackdown, which has included agreements with at least 35 countries to accept migrants deported from the United States.

Rights organisations say the policy risks exposing vulnerable people to persecution and undermining international refugee protections.

More than 120,000 Afghans were evacuated during the 2021 US withdrawal. Many were initially admitted to the United States under humanitarian parole and later received temporary protection while seeking permanent immigration status.

However, lengthy immigration backlogs have left thousands uncertain about their future.

Afghan advocacy groups are urging Congress to introduce legislation restoring protections for Afghans who assisted US forces and remain at risk of persecution if returned to Afghanistan.