AILA ED Condemns Trump Administration’s Plans to Deport Afghan Immigrants Back to Danger

WASHINGTON, DC – Per the New York Times reporting, the Trump Administration is detaining scores of Afghan immigrants in Louisiana and plans to deport them to Pakistan where they are expected to then be sent back to danger in Afghanistan. AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson responded:

“More than 150 Afghan immigrants may be deported to Pakistan, where they will then likely be forcibly returned to Afghanistan, a place they may face persecution or retaliation by the Taliban. Using Pakistan as a workaround is an appalling attempt to thwart the law. No one should be sent to a country where they would face persecution, but sending our allies who helped the U.S. military in its fight against the Taliban back to Afghanistan is a betrayal of the vital support they provided our troops and our humanitarian obligations. America can enforce its immigration laws without abandoning our values. A fair system respects the rule of law, protects due process, and offers safe haven to people facing persecution. A better way upholds both security and humanity.”