The administration intends to deport Afghan immigrants held in Louisiana through Pakistan
Trump administration plans to deport Afghan immigrants through Pakistan, with more than 150 expected to be deported, The New York Times reported. Dozens are detained in Louisiana, and flights could begin as early as Monday. Afghan Evac head Sean VanDeveer said some facing deportation are relatives of men who served with U.S. forces, and their families could be Taliban targets.
More context
Reports indicate that the administration intends to remove Afghan immigrants held in Louisiana, using Pakistan as the transit point; the first flight could leave as soon as Monday. The New York Times put the expected number above 150, calling it one of the largest single deportations of Afghans.
A U.S. official said Pakistan would be used because Washington lacks diplomatic relations with the Taliban, preventing direct deportations to Afghanistan. The Hill reported that the group is widely expected to be sent onward to Afghanistan.
Sean VanDeveer, head of Afghan Evac, said many facing deportation fled after the Taliban seized power in 2021. He noted that some are sons or brothers of men who served alongside U.S. forces, and their families may be targeted by the Taliban.
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Reporting
- Arab News — Arab News | Trump’s administration plans to deport some Afghan immigrants
- Reuters — Trump administration plans to deport some Afghan ...
- The Hill — Trump administration attempts loophole on deporting Afghan refugees to Afghanistan: Reports
- 13News Now — U.S. plans to deport Afghans back to their home country ...
Verifier’s note
Reuters reports the plan to deport some Afghan immigrants to Afghanistan, and Arab News carries that Reuters report. The Hill describes the same plan via Pakistan, and 13NewsNow reports deportations back to Afghanistan through Pakistan; the reports are all dated October 31, 2026.