Communication and Education Organization for Development

CEOD- Refugee Resources

Afghanistan: Surging returns from Iran overwhelm fragile support systems, UN agencies warn

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Afghans who recently arrived from Iran gather at the Islam Qala border crossing. ; UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed at the sharp increase in the number of Afghan returns from Iran. Since 20 March, 20some 604,000 have returned, including nearly 350,000 who have been deported. Daily return figures climbed steeply to 11,500 per day after missile strikes began hitting Iran on 13 June, more than double this year’s daily average of 4,400. The sharpest increase occurred on 24 and 25 June, with more than 50,000 returns, including 34,400 in just one day on 25 June.

July 9, 2025 — The Iranian government has initiated one of the largest mass deportation campaigns in its modern history, forcibly returning hundreds of thousands of Afghan migrants following the recent war with Israel. Using the post-war climate, authorities have cast suspicion on Afghan migrants—accusing them of espionage and branding them as potential spies for Israel—fueling longstanding discrimination against the Afghan community in Iran and exposing them to heightened violence.

More than 1 million Afghan migrants have been deported from Iran since the beginning of 2025, with nearly 600,000 returned since June 1. At least 70% of these individuals were forcibly removed. Alarmingly, children make up approximately 25% of those deported.

“Iran is casting out entire communities—men, women, and children—based on prejudice and politics, to a country where their lives and most basic rights are under immediate threat, due to the lowest economy.  “These deportations are an egregious violation of international law. All migrants and refugees, regardless of documentation status, have the right to due process and protection against forced return to danger.”

“For most Afghans, deportation is not a return home—it is a descent into crisis, into a country ravaged by war and repression,” Aban continued. “For Afghan women and girls, it’s even worse. This is not just a deportation—this is a death sentence for their freedom, their education, their futures.”

Iranian officials have used the war to justify a sweeping crackdown, arresting Afghan migrants and other minorities on baseless charges of spying for Israel and accelerating deportations. There have also been reports of state-affiliated media inciting discrimination and violence by labeling Afghans and other minorities as traitors and using dehumanizing language to vilify them.

“What we are witnessing is not just a refugee crisis, it’s a systematic campaign of scapegoating and collective punishment—an attempt to erase an entire population by blaming them for the failures and fears of the state.”

 deporting over 1 million people in this short period raises numerous and grave red flags. Mass deportations without individualized review or access to legal remedies violate due process protections under international human rights law. This practice amounts to collective expulsion, which is prohibited under Article 13 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a State Party.

Afghans who recently arrived from Iran gather at the Islam Qala border crossing. ; UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed at the sharp increase in the number of Afghan returns from Iran. Since 20 March, 20some 604,000 have returned, including nearly 350,000 who have been deported. Daily return figures climbed steeply to 11,500 per day after missile strikes began hitting Iran on 13 June, more than double this year’s daily average of 4,400. The sharpest increase occurred on 24 and 25 June, with more than 50,000 returns, including 34,400 in just one day on 25 June.

Support for Afghan Refugees

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Refugee Council USA sent a letter to President Biden on behalf of 346 national, state, and local organizations and faith groups around the country, demanding the administration support all Afghans in need of humanitarian protection.

Across organizations and communities, one thing is clear: we are ready to welcome and support Afghan refugees. That’s a significant statement from a large group of organizations and faith groups. It’s important to consider the context and different perspectives on this issue:
Letter from 300+ organizations

Org-Sign-On-Re-Afghanistan-8.20.21Download

Supporting Afghan refugees:

  • Humanitarian concerns: The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, with many Afghans facing displacement, persecution, and poverty. Supporting refugees is a way to address these immediate needs and offer them safety.
  • Moral obligation: Some argue that countries have a moral obligation to help those fleeing conflict and persecution, especially when they have played a role in those conflicts.
  • Economic benefits: Refugee resettlement can bring economic benefits to host countries, as refugees often contribute to the workforce and bring new skills and perspectives.

Challenges and concerns:

  • Security concerns: Some express concerns about potential security risks associated with refugee resettlement, particularly after recent events.
  • Economic and social integration: Integrating a large number of refugees can present challenges in terms of providing housing, education, and other services.
  • Public opinion: Public opinion on refugee resettlement can be divided, with some expressing concerns about the impact on their communities.

Moving forward:

  • Open and informed dialogue: A constructive and respectful dialogue is needed to address the concerns of all stakeholders and find solutions that are both humane and practical.
  • International cooperation: Resettlement is a global challenge, and international cooperation is needed to ensure that all countries share the responsibility of supporting refugees.
  • Focus on integration: Successful refugee resettlement requires a focus on integration, providing refugees with the support and resources they need to build new lives in their host countries.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to support Afghan refugees is a complex one with no easy answers. It’s important to consider all sides of the issue and engage in respectful dialogue to find the best way to address this humanitarian crisis.

Overview of the Afghan Adjustment Act

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The Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) is a bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation currently being considered in the U.S. Congress. It aims to provide a path to permanent residency for tens of thousands of Afghans who were evacuated to the United States following the fall of Kabul in August 2021.

Here’s an overview of the key provisions of the Act:

Path to Permanent Residency:

  • The AAA would create a streamlined process for eligible Afghan evacuees with humanitarian parole status to adjust their status to lawful permanent residents (LPRs). This would allow them to live and work in the United States permanently.

Strengthened Vetting:

  • The Act acknowledges the importance of rigorous vetting and screening procedures for all individuals entering the United States. It includes provisions to ensure that Afghan evacuees who qualify for the pathway to permanent residency have undergone thorough background checks and security clearances.

Support for Afghans at Risk:

  • The AAA recognizes that many Afghan allies and their families remain at risk in Afghanistan and neighboring countries. It includes provisions to improve and expand pathways to protection for these individuals, such as streamlining the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program and creating new avenues for refugee resettlement.

Interagency Coordination:

  • The Act establishes an interagency task force to coordinate efforts to support Afghan nationals both inside and outside the United States. This task force would be responsible for developing a comprehensive strategy for Afghan resettlement and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively.

Current Status:

  • The AAA was reintroduced in the 118th Congress as S. 2327 in the Senate and H.R. 4627 in the House of Representatives. It has received bipartisan support from lawmakers in both chambers of Congress.
US Congress Building

Potential Benefits:

  • The AAA would provide much-needed stability and security for thousands of Afghan evacuees who have risked their lives to support the United States mission in Afghanistan. It would also allow them to contribute their skills and talents to the American economy and society.
  • The Act would fulfill the United States’ moral obligation to its Afghan allies and demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights.
  • By establishing a coordinated approach to Afghan resettlement, the AAA could help to ensure that resources are used effectively and that the needs of vulnerable Afghans are met.

Challenges and Controversies:

  • Some critics argue that the AAA could create a security risk by granting permanent residency to individuals who have not undergone sufficient vetting. However, proponents of the Act argue that the vetting procedures outlined in the bill are already rigorous and that there is no evidence to suggest that Afghan evacuees pose a greater security threat than any other group seeking to immigrate to the United States.
  • Others express concern about the cost of resettling and integrating a large number of Afghan refugees. However, supporters of the AAA argue that the long-term economic benefits of welcoming these individuals outweigh the initial costs.

Overall, the Afghan Adjustment Act is a complex piece of legislation with both potential benefits and challenges. It is important to understand the different perspectives on this issue in order to form an informed opinion. By providing a path to permanent residency for Afghan evacuees, the AAA would fulfill a moral obligation and demonstrate the United States’ commitment to its allies.

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