In brief
The letter, addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, warns that deporting Afghans back to Taliban‑ruled Afghanistan could be a death sentence. Officials have said over 150 Afghans are slated for a flight from Louisiana to Pakistan, and the Biden‑era administration has warned that such third‑country moves could place detainees at great risk. The request comes amid criticism that the Trump administration’s broad deportation push violates humanitarian norms.
A coalition of 66 US lawmakers sent a letter to the Trump administration on 3 November requesting that it halt a planned mass deportation of Afghans to Pakistan. The message was addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and warned that sending Afghans back to Taliban‑ruled Afghanistan could be a death sentence.
The lawmakers cited advocacy group reports saying that at least 150 Afghan nationals were scheduled to be deported from Tuesdays, flying from detention facilities in Louisiana to Pakistan. In a court filing, the Associated Press reported that DHS officials have indicated they ultimately planned to return some of the Afghans to their home country, though that claim remains unverified pending a court decision.
"Sending dozens of people back to one of the most dangerous countries on earth, and where they are likely to be targeted for their or their family’s suspected support of the US government or criticism of the Taliban, is a death sentence," the letter states, echoing the legal and humanitarian concerns that the lawmakers have raised.
The Trump administration has once again turned to third‑country deportations, sending at least 25,000 people to 35 nations and arranging for a flight carrying Afghan nationals from Alexandria, Louisiana, to Pakistan. Human Rights First has confirmed that the flight is scheduled for Tuesday, tightening the timeline for the intended removals.
Critics argue that the practice undermines international norms for asylum and refugees, especially when deportees are sent to countries with serious human‑rights violations. The Biden administration has repeatedly warned against such third‑country removals and has pledged to protect Afghans who served alongside coalition forces.
