US Plans Nearly 200 Afghan Deportations via Pakistan

The Trump administration plans to deport more than 150 Afghan nationals—nearly 200, according to a court filing—routing them through Pakistan before onward travel to Afghanistan, since Washington lacks diplomatic ties with the Taliban government. An ICE officer’s declaration in a federal case said a planned charter flight would land in Pakistan, but left unanswered whether Pakistan had agreed to receive the deportees and who would arrange their overland journey. One detainee was removed from the flight list and released after a judge found his continued detention violated due process; another detainee’s emergency request remained pending. The Taliban foreign ministry urged Washington to act responsibly, protect the migrants’ rights and coordinate with Kabul, while saying it was ready for constructive talks. It also warned that third countries should not use Afghan citizens as bargaining chips for temporary benefits.