Ex-US diplomats tell Pak not to deport Afghan refugees awaiting US visas as Islamabad threatens expulsion, arrest

Representatives of resettlement groups and a group of retired US diplomats urged Pakistan not to deport thousands of Afghans who are awaiting US visas as part of an American initiative that transfers vulnerable Afghan refugees escaping Taliban rule. A week after Pakistan announced a crackdown on migrants living in the country illegally, including 1.7 million Afghans, the appeal was made in an open letter signed on Wednesday by 80 former US officials, dignitaries, and resettlement groups. The letter advised the migrants to return to their home countries by October 31 in order to avoid mass arrest and expulsion. The United Nations warned this week that such forced deportations of Afghans may result in abuses of human rights, including the dissolution of families. Pakistan, on the other hand, disputes that it is targeting Afghans and claims that all individuals in the nation illegally are the main target. Pakistani authorities warned illegal immigrants on Thursday that time was running out to return home before October 31 in order to avoid being detained and expelled. Before their claims may be considered, applicants are required by U.S. law to relocate to a third nation. Resettlement assistance centers handle the cases, and the procedure can take up to 14 or 18 months. For almost two years, thousands of Afghan candidates have been waiting in Pakistan for their visa applications to be processed by U.S. officials. Afghan applicants are now extremely vulnerable as they deal with economic hardship and limited access to health, education, and other facilities in Pakistan due to the delay in issuing the visas and relocation. Numerous former U.S. officials and members of resettlement organizations wrote to Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, requesting that Pakistan halt its deportation plan of Afghans who entered the nation after the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan in 2021. “We want Afghans to know that powerful people in the U.S. and Americans from across the nation stand with them,” said Shawn VanDiver, president and founder of #AfghanEvac, a nonprofit organization. “We appreciate Pakistan for providing refuge to our allies following America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, but this decision would only cause chaos and make a bad situation worse. We urge Pakistan to work with us to resettle qualifying individuals in the U.S., not send them back to Afghanistan where they face certain doom,” the letter said. It said Pakistan’s decision to deport Afghans would impact individuals, including former interpreters, journalists, women leaders and others “who face significant risks if returned to Afghanistan.” “These deportations would not be consistent with Pakistan’s humanitarian tradition, and if pursued, would certainly adversely impact Pakistan’s relationship with the United States and could cause lasting damage to Pakistan’s reputation among the international community,” the letter added. “Further, it is simply inhumane to treat these vulnerable neighbors in such a manner,” it said. The letter also asks Pakistan to approve the International Organization for Migration’s request to establish a Resettlement Support Center in Pakistan to assist Afghans and verify their eligibility for resettlement. (With inputs from agencies)