A Crackdown on Undocumented Foreigners: Iran's Plan to Deport Millions of Afghans
Foreign individuals without valid residence permits in Iran face potential deportation
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link
Following a conflict with Israel, Iran is set to expel all foreigners without valid residency permits, impacting a significant number of undocumented Afghans residing in the country. According to reports from Iran's news agency Mehr, this action includes seizing or sealing apartments rented by Afghans.
With millions of Afghans living within its borders, many of whom are undocumented, Iran is a host to a sizable migrant population. In major cities, these individuals often work in lower-tier occupations, such as at small markets or construction sites.
Recent days have seen reports of hundreds of arrests of suspected collaborators, with Iran's chief justice threatening swift trials. The security services in Iran have accused Afghans of sabotage and covert operations, including small drone attacks loaded with explosives.
Before the conflict, Iran's security agencies declared a tougher stance against Afghans without residency permits. Sharing a border over 900 kilometers in length with Afghanistan, Iran's government intended to expel around two million foreigners without valid documentation by the end of March 2025.
Enrichment:
- Enforced Departure: The Iranian government aims to expel more than 4 million undocumented Afghan migrants by July 6, 2025, with about half of those already receiving exit orders. Only specific categories are eligible for temporary residence cards, with no more new Afghan migrants being accepted[5].
- Suspected Sabotage: The arrests and deportations on grounds of undocumented Afghan immigrants coincide with accusations of sabotage and covert operations. However, reported sabotage incidents linked directly to these deportations are insufficiently detailed in the current data[3][4].
- Regional Impact: The ongoing operation contributes to a larger regional pattern of forced Afghan returns, forming a coercive regime that has implications across the region[1].
Source: ntv.de, dpa
- The Iranian government has introduced a strict community policy aimed at deporting millions of undocumented Afghans, a move that could significantly impact the ongoing vocational training programs for this population, especially in fields like construction and small markets.
- The recent crackdown on undocumented foreigners in Iran, including Afghans, has raised concerns in the general-news and politics spheres, with questions about the impact on vocational training programs and the potential for increased crime and justice issues.
