A New York judge has barred the Trump administration from sending Afghan nationals to Afghanistan or Pakistan until Saturday, following warnings that some could face persecution or torture.
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: A US federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting Afghan nationals to Afghanistan or Pakistan, giving dozens of detained immigrants a reprieve amid concerns that they could face persecution, torture or other serious harm.
US District Judge Valerie Caproni of the Southern District of New York issued the temporary restraining order on Tuesday, November 3. The order prevents the administration from sending Afghan nationals to either country through Saturday, November 7.
The ruling followed warnings from immigration advocates, lawyers and members of the US Congress about the potential consequences for Afghans facing removal.
Deportation plan involved transfer through Pakistan
The Trump administration had reportedly planned to transfer Afghan nationals detained in the United States from Louisiana to Pakistan, from where they could be sent across the border to Afghanistan.
US media reports indicated that more than 150 Afghans could be affected by the proposed arrangement. Separately, advocacy organisations said more than 80 detained Afghans had contacted them after receiving notices from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicating possible deportation through Pakistan.
Those reportedly affected include women, religious minorities, a former police officer and people whose family members had worked alongside US forces in Afghanistan.
AfghanEvac, an organisation supporting Afghans who assisted the US military, said the group included relatives of former Afghan allies of Washington.
US government says no deportation flights scheduled
During court proceedings, ICE Deputy Assistant Director Christopher George told the court that the agency had no planned or confirmed chartered or commercial flights to deport Afghan nationals to Afghanistan or Pakistan before the end of the week.
Judge Caproni ordered the administration to comply with that representation, making the temporary restriction applicable to the proposed deportations.
The order does not permanently cancel the deportation plan. It provides temporary protection while concerns surrounding the proposed removals remain under scrutiny.
Lawmakers and rights groups raise safety concerns
A letter led by California Democratic Representative Scott Peters and signed by 65 other members of the US House and Senate warned that deporting vulnerable Afghans could expose them to persecution, torture or even death.
Advocacy organisations have also warned that people who previously worked with US forces, or have relatives who did, could face retaliation if returned to Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities had also expressed serious concern over reports of the proposed deportations. The Afghan Foreign Ministry urged Washington to respect the rights and legitimate demands of the affected citizens and cautioned third countries against making arrangements concerning the fate of another country’s nationals
