The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump is preparing to deport more than 150 Afghan immigrants back to Afghanistan via Pakistan, according to multiple U.S. officials cited by media reports on Friday. The first deportation flight could take place as early as Monday.

This move comes amid ongoing debates over immigration policies implemented since 2017, including travel bans targeting several countries such as Afghanistan, as part of a broader effort to restrict immigration and end deportation protections for certain Afghans. Many Afghans were granted special immigrant visas after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, often in recognition of their assistance to U.S. military forces.

Among those scheduled for deportation are relatives of Afghans who worked alongside U.S. troops prior to the fall of Kabul, according to AfghanEvac, an advocacy group that supports former Afghan allies. Although the U.S. is unable to deport individuals directly to Afghanistan, officials said that Pakistan would manage the repatriation process by expelling the individuals into Afghanistan.

Pakistan has intensified its deportation policy targeting Afghan nationals in recent years. Earlier this year, Islamabad directed law enforcement agencies to arrest Afghans residing without visas as part of a long-standing repatriation effort that has forced millions of Afghan refugees to return to their home country. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained since the Taliban came to power, exacerbated by violent border clashes in October 2025 that resulted in the near closure of the border. Despite a brief reduction in hostilities after mediation, conflict resumed in February, with Pakistan declaring an “open war” on Afghanistan. Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harboring militants responsible for attacks within its territory—a charge the Taliban government denies.

Taliban officials have not commented on the deportation plan, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declined to respond to inquiries.

AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver criticized the decision, calling it a dangerous move timed to coincide with the U.S. midterm elections. “America is about to put Afghans on a plane to the Taliban, and the administration is doing it the week the country goes to vote, hoping no one is watching,” VanDiver said. He noted that some of those facing removal are closely related to individuals who served alongside U.S. forces and are likely targets for Taliban retaliation. “Whatever path brought them here, the danger waiting for them is the same,” he added.

Following their return to power, Taliban authorities declared a broad amnesty for Afghans who cooperated with Western forces and governments. However, the United Nations has documented reports of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and abuses against such individuals, raising concerns about their safety upon return.