Deportations Post-Conflict: Iran Cracking Down on Unauthorized Foreign Residents, Particularly Afghans
Iran to expel non-residents without legitimate residency documentation
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In the aftermath of the recent conflict with Israel, Iran has announced plans to deport all foreigners residing in the nation without valid residence permits, most notably many Afghans. According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, a brigadier general of the border police stated that properties rented by Afghans will be seized or sealed.
A substantial number of Afghans call Iran home, with many residing there illegally. In the major cities, these individuals often work in lower-paying sectors such as small convenience stores or construction sites.
During the conflict, Iran's security forces attributed acts of sabotage and covert operations to Afghans. Reports circulated of attacks using small drones laden with explosives, allegedly manufactured within the country. Over the past few days, there have been reports of numerous arrests of suspected collaborators. Iran's chief justice recently threatened these individuals with swift punishment.
Previous to the conflict, Iran's security authorities indicated a tougher stance towards foreigners residing in the country without permits. Afghanistan and Iran share a border stretching over 900 kilometers in length. Iran's government aimed to deport around two million foreigners without valid residence permits by the end of March 2025.
Background
Historically, Iran displayed some tolerance towards Afghan migrants and refugees. However, recent developments indicate a marked shift in this policy. By late 2024, Iran began a campaign to revoke bargeh sarshomari—temporary ID slips that had granted limited legal protection to about 2 million Afghans. This move has left many Afghans exposed, making them vulnerable to arrest, detention, and potential deportation [1].
Current Situation
Since late May 2025, Iranian authorities have intensified efforts to arrest, detain, and expel undocumented Afghans, including women, children, and the elderly. Many families, some of whom have lived in Iran for years, now find themselves at risk and often lack access to legal aid or humanitarian assistance [1].
Regional Impact
This crackdown in Iran is part of a wider trend in the region, with neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, and Tajikistan also engaging in forced returns and pushbacks of Afghans. This landscape has created a regimen of forced returns across the region, putting hundreds of thousands of Afghans at risk [1].
Consequences for Afghans
The scale of forced returns overshadows Afghanistan's capacity to receive and reintegrate returnees. Many are trapped in cycles of renewed displacement and irregular migration, relying on smuggling networks and facing increased risks along migration routes [1].
Legal and Humanitarian Crisis
The revocation of bargeh sarshomari has left many Afghans precarious, without recognized status or protections under Iranian law. The aggressive deportation campaign has led to families being separated and vulnerable individuals—especially women and children—being forcibly returned to Afghanistan without support [1].
Regional Stability
The large-scale deportations are likely to exacerbate instability in Afghanistan and the wider region, as returnees struggle with a lack of infrastructure, employment, and social services. This situation contributes to irregular migration and human trafficking, increasing risks for displaced populations [1].
International Response
The situation has drawn attention from humanitarian organizations and international observers, who warn of the growing crisis of forced Afghan returns and the urgent need for coordinated regional and international responses to protect vulnerable migrants and refugees [1].
In essence, Iran's current plan to deport foreigners without valid residence permits signifies a drastic policy shift with severe consequences for the Afghan community in Iran, many of whom now find themselves more vulnerable and uncertain.
[1] References omitted for brevity.
- The Iranian government's tougher stance on foreigners residing in the country without permits, as demonstrated by the recent increase in deportations of undocumented Afghans, could be seen as a part of broader community policy changes.
- The forced returns of Afghans, due to both Iran's crackdown and the similar policies of neighboring countries like Pakistan, Turkey, and Tajikistan, are contributing to a vocational training challenge for those who are displaced and often end up in dangers during migration, as many lack necessary skills to find employment upon return.
- The international community needs to pay attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis of forced Afghan returns, as the political instability caused by these deportations in Afghanistan and the wider region could fuel war-and-conflicts, migration, crime-and-justice issues, and general-news concerns in the long term.
