Iran deported more than 21,400 Afghan migrants who had entered illegally

The Taliban-appointed commander of border guards in Khorasan Razavi province said Iranian guards detained 21,407 Afghan migrants who entered Iran illegally and deported them to Afghanistan, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported. Majid Shuja, the Taliban-appointed commander of border guards in Khorasan Razavi, said the migrants were identified during the past nine days when they entered Iran illegally.

Shuja said the migrants were handed over to the Taliban representative in Doghrun district, Khaama Press reported. More than 328,000 Afghan migrants have been deported from Iran in the first six months of 2023, Khaama Press reports. The deportation of Afghan migrants comes after reports from Afghans returning to Iran indicated that some of them, even with official residence permits, were detained and deported.

Last week, Afghan refugees in Iran raised concerns about an increase in deportations, arrests and harassment by police, Tolo News reported. The Taliban has called on neighboring countries not to deport Afghan refugees. Do not forcibly deport refugees or treat them illegally. According to Tolo News report, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said that our message to Iran and Pakistan is to be tolerant towards migrants, not repressive and stop the persecution.