Tens of thousands of undocumented Afghan migrants are being forcibly deported from Iran, returning to a homeland gripped by poverty, insecurity, and state inaction. In just one week, over 88,000 Afghans have been pushed back across the border—many without documents, legal support, or a place to go.
Between 10,000 to 30,000 Afghans are returned daily, mostly through Islam Qala, where they face no reception, no reintegration plan, and no safety net.
These returnees are not criminals—they are victims of a collapsed economy, human rights suppression, and a government unable or unwilling to protect its people.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has faced deepening humanitarian and structural crises, particularly for women, minorities, and the poor. Despite this, Kabul has failed to address the root causes driving mass migration.
Even as international organizations like the IOM report record-high returns, Afghan officials dismiss the crisis, blaming “regional tensions” and external wars—while ignoring the mass unemployment, human rights abuses, and lack of services at home.
The Iranian ambassador visited the border and made public promises to improve treatment, but Afghan citizens no longer trust promises. They demand action, protection, and dignity—not excuses.
“Afghan migrants are not a threat or burden; they are the human face of a failed system.”
