Afghan Refugees Face Growing Crisis Amid U.S. Resettlement Delays and Pakistan’s Mass Deportations
By Staff Writer
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, millions of Afghans have fled violence, persecution, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. However, many now find themselves trapped between restrictive U.S. resettlement policies and forced deportations from host countries, particularly Pakistan.
In a recent article, Ambassador Ashraf Haidari, Founder & President of Displaced International, criticized the delays in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which have left thousands of vetted Afghan allies stranded. Despite undergoing rigorous security screenings, many Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and P1–P4 applicants remain in bureaucratic limbo, unable to rebuild their lives. Haidari urges the U.S. to exempt Afghan refugees from restrictive executive measures, arguing that honoring its commitments to those who risked their lives for the U.S. is both a moral and strategic necessity.
U.S. Suspends Resettlement, Leaving Thousands in Danger
In early 2025, the U.S. administration indefinitely suspended USRAP, halting the resettlement of approximately 20,000 Afghan refugees currently in Pakistan. Many of these individuals had already been vetted and were awaiting final approval. The suspension has created a climate of uncertainty, leaving thousands at risk of deportation or exploitation.
Since August 2021, over 134,000 SIV applications have been submitted, but only a fraction have been approved, leaving thousands in legal and humanitarian limbo. The U.S. pause on resettlement means Afghan refugees face worsening conditions, including the potential loss of legal status, employment, and healthcare.
Pakistan Plans to Expel 3 Million Afghan Refugees
Compounding the crisis, Pakistan has announced plans to deport up to 3 million Afghan refugees by the end of 2025. Since 2021, Pakistan has forcibly repatriated over 845,000 Afghans, and new deadlines threaten to displace hundreds of thousands more. As of March 2025, Islamabad and Rawalpindi authorities have ordered all Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave by the end of the month, while those with Proof of Registration cards face deportation by June 30.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, warn that these forced returns violate international non-refoulement laws, which prohibit returning refugees to danger. Many deported Afghans face persecution, violence, and economic devastation upon their return. Among those at risk are over 50 prominent Afghan women’s rights activists, who fear imprisonment or death under Taliban rule.
A Call for International Action
Haidari emphasizes that beyond immediate deportations, the broader humanitarian crisis must not be ignored. Over 23.7 million Afghans require urgent humanitarian aid, with 11.6 million facing catastrophic food insecurity. More than 3.2 million people are internally displaced, struggling in overcrowded camps with little access to necessities.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have urged Pakistan to reconsider its mass deportation plans and work with the international community to find long-term solutions. Meanwhile, Haidari calls on the U.S. to exempt Afghan refugees from restrictive executive measures and fast-track resettlement processes to uphold its commitments to Afghan allies.
As time runs out for thousands of Afghan refugees, advocates warn that failure to act will have devastating consequences. The safety and dignity of millions remain at stake, requiring urgent, coordinated efforts from the U.S., Pakistan, and the global community.
