Deportation Halt: Judge Pauses Plan to Fly Detained Afghans to Pakistan
A federal order expires in three days, leaving 80 vulnerable detainees in limbo as the administration prepares commercial flights.
By Beatriz Soto ·
More than 80 detained Afghans received notification this week that they were scheduled for removal to Pakistan via Louisiana facilities. The planned departures were set for Monday, prompting immediate legal intervention from advocates and lawmakers who warned of high risks to the group.
Judge Valerie Caproni of the federal court in New York issued a temporary order on Tuesday. The ruling blocks the Trump administration's plan to deport these individuals to either Afghanistan or Pakistan. The order remains in effect until Saturday, a timeframe that aligns with the government's logistics.
Government officials told the court that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had no chartered or commercial flights booked for these removals through the end of the week. ICE typically secures air travel weeks in advance, making the Saturday expiration of the order a critical deadline for the agency.
The legal challenge follows a letter sent Monday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The correspondence was led by California Representative Scott Peters and signed by 65 other members of Congress. The legislators expressed extreme concern that sending vulnerable people would expose them to persecution, torture, or even death.
Court documents obtained by the Associated Press detail the planned route from Louisiana to Pakistan. The administration has previously used third-country deportations when formal diplomatic relations with a nation of origin are absent, a situation that applies to Afghanistan's Taliban government. In other cases, such transfers serve as a deterrent.
Representatives from Human Rights First and AfghanEvac stated that most of the 80 individuals lack legal representation. The group includes women, a police officer, members of religious minorities, and people whose family members served in the U.S. military. Many fled Afghanistan after assisting the U.S. military and aid groups, leading to fears of Taliban retaliation.
Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman for the Afghan foreign ministry, stated that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan expresses serious concern about the U.S. plans to transfer citizens to Pakistan. He urged the United States to ensure decisions are based on the legitimate demands of those involved and said third-party countries should not engage in dealings concerning the fate of another nation's citizens.
Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, described the ruling as a reprieve rather than a resolution at a news conference. Savitri Arvey, director of policy at Human Rights First, noted that returned individuals face systematic dangers including arbitrary detentions and executions. She said advocates will continue tracking flights to ensure none depart before the legal process concludes.
