Amid the intensification of restrictions on Afghan migrants in Iran, officials report that in the past nine months, Iran has expelled over 890,000 Afghans, with some choosing to return voluntarily.
In recent months, new restrictions have been imposed on Afghan migrants in Iran. These include a ban on settlement in 19 provinces, including East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Zanjan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Mazandaran.
Moreover, the employment of Afghans in various job sectors has been prohibited in most cities. In the latest instance, on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, the Director-General of Labor and Social Welfare in Tehran announced that the hiring of undocumented Afghan workers by municipalities is banned.
On Monday, December 30, the Deputy Governor of Hamadan also announced a ban on employing Afghans in workshops and production units in the province.
Afghan migrants in Iran call for the reduction of restrictions in the country and for effective solutions between the two countries regarding their presence in Iran.
Sanawbar Parsa, an Afghan migrant in Iran, says: “Our request is that in the coming year, both governments work together to provide better job opportunities for Afghan migrants, address the challenges, ensure that migrants are not humiliated, and implement organized and effective solutions in this regard.”
On Thursday, January 1, 2025, the Ministry of Repatriations and Refugees (MoRR) also announced via a statement on X that 54 Afghan citizens had been released from Pakistani prisons. These individuals returned to Afghanistan through the Spin Buldak and Torkham border crossings on Wednesday.
The ministry further stated that these Afghan nationals had been imprisoned in Pakistan for 3 to 20 days due to lacking legal travel documents. Nearly a week ago, 44 Afghan citizens were also released from Pakistani prisons and returned to Afghanistan.
Abdul Mutaleb Haqqani, spokesperson for the ministry, told Salam Watandar: ” Among them, 17,000 returned from Turkey, 93,000 from Pakistan, and the rest from Iran. We frequently engage with representatives from Iran and Pakistan to reduce the strict measures against migrants and have urged that their deportation not be forced.”
Social experts are also urging the de-facto government of the Islamic Emirate to take serious measures in 2025, to reduce the worsening situation for Afghan migrants.
Ahmad Rashed Sediqi, a social expert, said: “First, the government should take up economic opportunities and construction projects this year to financially support returnee migrants. Second, diplomatic efforts should be made in areas where Afghans are migrants to reduce their challenges.”
According to reports from Iran, nearly 1.5 million Afghans are legally present in Iran with work permits, but the number of undocumented individuals is estimated to be even higher.
