Iran's Tough Stance on Illegal Immigrants Amid Recent Ceasefire with Israel
Foreigners in Iran without proper residential status face imminent expulsion.
Iran's taking a no-nonsense approach to expelling illegal immigrants, focusing mainly on Afghanistan. The bustling streets of major cities, where many Afghans eke out a living in low-wage jobs, might soon see empty shops and abandoned shacks as the regime seizes and seals rented properties. According to Iranian news agency Mehr, a brigade general of the border police has made such declarations.
With close to four million Afghans residing in Iran without proper documentation, this crackdown could significantly alter the country's landscape. These individuals have found work in various sectors, from small markets to construction sites.
Recent tensions with Israel have led Iranian security forces to blame Afghans for sabotage acts and covert operations. Reports indicate attacks using small drones loaded with explosives and suspected to be locally manufactured. In response to these suspicions, hundreds of potential collaborators have been arrested, facing trials if found guilty.
Prior to the conflict with Israel, Iran's security agencies had already announced a tougher stance against foreigners in the country without permanent residency permits. The Iran-Afghanistan border, over 900 kilometers long, has remained a source of concern for both nations. The Iranian government had aimed to deport approximately two million undocumented immigrants by the end of March 2025.
In recent months, the number of undocumented foreigners being detained has tripled. Tehran's governor has confirmed these intensified efforts, with families being the main target. This intensified crackdown has resulted in a surge of Afghans leaving Iran for Afghanistan, with estimates suggesting a daily influx of around 10,000 people.
The Taliban government in Afghanistan, along with UN agencies, human rights organizations, and Afghan activists, have criticized Iran's deportation campaign. They claim Afghanistan remains an unsafe haven due to ongoing human rights violations and a deteriorating humanitarian situation under Taliban rule. The returnees, including vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly, often lack the necessary support, protection, or resources to reintegrate into society.
In essence, Iran's plan to expel undocumented Afghans by July 6, 2025, is an essential part of a broader strategy to strengthen immigration control. This change in policy results from a shift in approach towards Afghan refugees and migrants, exacerbated by recent geopolitical developments, including the ceasefire with Israel. This move will impact millions, creating humanitarian and migration challenges across the region.
- The community policy in Iran, aiming to strengthen immigration control, includes the planned expulsion of undocumented Afghans by July 6, 2025, which is a result of the recent geopolitical development, such as the ceasefire with Israel.
- Vocational training might become essential for the millions of returning Afghans from Iran due to the economic impact of the Iranian government's crackdown on illegal migration.
- In the context of war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice, the escalating tension between Iran and Afghanistan over migration, spurred by Iran's tough stance on undocumented immigrants, is gaining global attention.
