RCUSA Strongly Condemns Deportation Flights to Dangerous Third Countries and the Administration’s Plans to Forcibly Remove Afghans and Iranians

Washington, DC – Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) unequivocally condemns the Trump administration’s arrangements with third countries to forcibly remove individuals, including those seeking – or even already granted – humanitarian protections in the United States, to countries where they have no ties or where they may face persecution, detention, torture, or other serious harm. RCUSA is further deeply alarmed by the reported plans, although delayed, by the Trump administration to deport more than 100 detained Afghans with final removal orders to Pakistan, with onward transport to Afghanistan, raising grievous refoulement concerns. Several of those impacted fled Afghanistan because their support for the U.S. mission put them at risk, and they are likely to face retribution from Taliban authorities upon their return.

UN monitors continue to raise the alarm about escalating human rights violations in Afghanistan and the failure of Pakistan and other states to adhere to international law prohibitions against return to persecution and torture. More than 70,500 Afghans have been deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan in 2026 alone, as of October 24. These reported deportation plans also come amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to roll back protections for Afghans in the United States, including its July 2025 termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals and its ongoing delays in processing immigration benefits requests filed by Afghan nationals in the United States.

Reports from attorneys also indicate that the administration may also soon send another deportation flight forcing Iranians back to Iran, where there continue to be severe war-related risks, including high numbers of civilian casualties and food and water shortages, as well as documented persecution, imprisonment, and abuse of individuals who oppose the government. The individuals deported have included Christian converts, ethnic minorities, and political dissidents.

“These reported plans represent a profound betrayal of the United States’ humanitarian obligations to Afghan allies, Iranian political dissidents, and their families,” said John Slocum, Executive Director of Refugee Council USA. “Third country arrangements with countries like Pakistan involve sending people back to active conflict areas and the risk of violence and persecution, exposing them to grave threats to their safety. Deportation flights to certain harm and insecurity—in Afghanistan, Iran, and beyond—must be stopped, and robust congressional oversight is overdue.”

RCUSA calls on the Trump administration to immediately suspend any plans to carry out deportation flights to Afghanistan via Pakistan and to Iran. The United States must not circumvent its obligations to protect individuals from persecution and torture.

Media Contact: Meredith Owen, meredithowen@rcusa.org 

RCUSA is a diverse coalition advocating for just and humane laws and policies, and the promotion of dialogue and communication among government, civil society, and those who need protection and welcome. Individual RCUSA members do not all address all refugee-related issues, nor do all individual members approach common refugee-related issues identically.

###