US judge temporarily blocks deportation of detained Afghans

A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting detained Afghan nationals to Afghanistan or Pakistan, following warnings that their lives could be at risk.

US District Judge Valerie Caproni issued the order in New York on Tuesday, suspending deportations until Saturday, according to the Associated Press (AP).

More than 80 detained Afghans have reportedly contacted human rights organizations and immigration lawyers after receiving notices from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicating they could be deported via Pakistan.

Those affected reportedly include women, former Afghan security personnel, religious minorities and people whose relatives served alongside US forces. Many fled Afghanistan after the Islamic Emirate returned to power in 2021.

The proposed transfers have drawn criticism from 66 members of the US Congress, who warned that deportees could face persecution, torture or death.

The lawmakers urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to intervene.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry also expressed serious concern over reports of the planned transfers to Pakistan. Deputy spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal urged Washington to protect the rights and legitimate interests of the individuals involved.

Human rights groups welcomed the court’s decision as a temporary reprieve, warning that Afghans returned to Afghanistan could face arbitrary detention, executions and other forms of retaliation.

The ruling does not resolve the wider legal and humanitarian concerns, with advocates continuing efforts to prevent the deportations.