Donald Trump’s administration is imminently expected to forcibly remove dozens of Afghans from the U.S. to Afghanistan, marking the first large-scale deportation flight of Afghans back into the hands of the Taliban , aid groups and human rights lawyers warn.
Roughly 150 Afghans are reportedly scheduled for the removal flight, which is being routed from Louisiana to Pakistan, where officials are expected to expel them to their home country.
Afghans on the flight include family members of U.S. allies who worked alongside military forces and aid groups , among others who could face discrimination and violence upon their return — including at least one LGBTQ+ person.
By sending the flight to Pakistan, the Trump administration has found a legally dubious workaround to send vulnerable immigrants to the country they fled, according to attorneys and refugee aid groups.
“By creating arrangements with countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, and now Pakistan, the Trump administration is effectuating removals to active war…