ICE planning to deport Afghans through Pakistan, official says, prompting fears for their safety

Key Points:

• The Trump administration plans to deport nearly 200 Afghan nationals by first sending them to Pakistan, from where they would be transported overland to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, though the timeline remains uncertain.
• The Afghans targeted for deportation are in ICE custody for alleged immigration violations, but advocates warn the plan risks exposing them to persecution by the Taliban due to their or their relatives' ties to the U.S. war effort.
• Legal challenges have arisen, with some detainees seeking emergency relief to prevent deportation; one Afghan national was released after a judge ruled his detention violated due process, while others await court decisions.
• The U.S. government has not confirmed whether Pakistan has agreed to receive the deportees or provided assurances about their safety, and both the Department of Homeland Security and State Department have declined detailed comment.
• The Taliban's Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the transfer plan, urging respect for Afghan citizens' rights, while U.S. veterans and members of Congress have called for a halt to the deportations, citing humanitarian and ethical issues.