Taliban raises ‘serious concern’ over U.S. plan to deport Afghans through Pakistan and offers direct engagement with Washington

Afghanistan’s Taliban government expressed “serious concern” Monday over U.S. plans to deport Afghan immigrants through Pakistan and said it was prepared to engage directly with Washington over the fate of those facing removal.

The Taliban Foreign Ministry urged the United States to take a “responsible and measured approach,” saying decisions affecting Afghan citizens should be made through bilateral understanding and coordination while respecting their rights and legitimate concerns.

“The Afghan side is prepared, with an understanding of the existing realities and taking into account the legitimate concerns of both sides, to engage practically in this area on the basis of mutual understanding,” the ministry said.

The statement follows U.S. court filings showing that the Trump administration is preparing to fly detained Afghan immigrants from Louisiana to Pakistan, with further transportation to Afghanistan.

One sworn declaration from a senior U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official described an upcoming charter flight from Alexandria, Louisiana, to Pakistan “with further transport onward to Afghanistan.”

More than 150 Afghans could ultimately be removed under the operation, according to The New York Times. The group reportedly includes relatives of Afghans who assisted U.S. forces before the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and at least one gay man who could face persecution in Afghanistan.

It remains unclear whether all those expected to be removed can legally be returned to Afghanistan. Some Afghans in the United States have previously received protections against deportation to their home country because of the risk of persecution or torture.

The Taliban also warned third countries against making arrangements involving Afghan citizens for “temporary, limited benefits or other considerations,” without naming Pakistan in that part of its statement.

Kabul said any return should be “dignified, safe and voluntary.”

The United States does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban government, complicating direct deportations to Afghanistan. Pakistan, meanwhile, has itself deported large numbers of Afghans in recent years.

The Department of Homeland Security has declined to discuss future removal operations, citing operational security.