US plans deportation flight to Pakistan for detained Afghans, including relatives of allies

WASHINGTON: Afghans held in immigration detention in the United States are being told they will be deported to Pakistan, according to a federal government official familiar with the plans.

Lawyers and advocacy organisations who have heard concerns from their detained clients also described the notifications.

The potential deportation flight has not been announced. It is expected to leave in the coming weeks, according to the official and the advocates.

Immigration officers have told some of those detained that they will be on board. Among them are relatives of Afghans who worked with the US military before the fall of Kabul, according to AfghanEvac. The organisation advocates for Afghans who helped US troops.

No further details were available on the number of people who may be put on the flight. The dates and the place of departure have not been made public. There was also no information on what arrangements, if any, exist for their arrival in Pakistan.

Many Afghans who worked with American forces, and their families, left Afghanistan after the Taliban took power in August 2021. Some of them have since sought protection in the United States.

The reported plan would send people to Pakistan rather than to Afghanistan.