Afghan Pilots Face Peril As US Resettlement Stalls, Pakistan Plans Deportations

Following the denial, a closed-door Quds Day ceremony was held inside the centre’s Kabul office, where participants were seen burning an Israeli flag. Photographs from the event show Issa Hosseini Mazari, head of the Tebyan Centre and a well-known pro-Iranian figure in Afghanistan, standing next to the burning flag.

Quds Day, observed annually on the last Friday of Ramadan, was established by Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a show of solidarity with Palestinians. The Iranian government regularly organises commemorative events in various countries, including Afghanistan.

This year, the Tebyan Centre had reportedly intended to organise public gatherings in Kabul and Balkh provinces. However, the Taliban opposed the initiative, effectively blocking the planned demonstrations.

In recent years, Quds Day events in Afghanistan have often been hosted at Iranian diplomatic missions, with attendance by both Iranian and Taliban officials. Joint prayer ceremonies between representatives of both governments have also been documented.

Mazari, known for his alignment with Iran, has previously voiced support for the Taliban and maintains close ties with Tehran.

Despite regular observances, Quds Day ceremonies in Afghanistan have drawn criticism from those who see the event as a political tool employed by Iran to exert influence in the region.

The unprecedented move has been carried out with minimal public notification, intensifying anxiety and uncertainty for those affected.

One Afghan immigrant, who arrived in the US three years ago under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programme and fulfilled all legal requirements for permanent residency, reported receiving an official letter from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) informing him of the revocation of his Green Card.

The letter granted a three-month window to submit valid documentation and appeal the decision. If the appeal fails, the individual will be required to leave the United States.

According to informed sources, the US government’s main concern stems from security and administrative doubts regarding certain companies involved in issuing visa approvals under the SIV programme. These companies, responsible for employment verification letters, are alleged to have issued documents without proper vetting or, in some cases, in exchange for money.

As a result, the legitimacy of all SIVs and Green Cards processed through these entities is now under question. This means Afghan immigrants who received their residency via these companies face losing their legal status—even if they personally committed no wrongdoing.

Reports estimate that hundreds of Afghan immigrants have had their Green Cards revoked in recent months. Many affected individuals include interpreters, civil society activists, and employees of US-led projects who fled Afghanistan under threats from the Taliban and extremist groups—arriving in the US with promises of safety and protection.

Legal experts warn that this approach may violate fundamental principles of refugee protection. Revoking residency from individuals who followed legal procedures and have been residing in the US for years, without clear justification or transparent review, risks undermining trust in the immigration system.

An immigration lawyer based in Washington stated that the mass revocation of Green Cards—without a consistent standard or adequate time for appeal—could trigger a crisis of trust and heighten fear among immigrant communities, particularly those who arrived under threat.

So far, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USCIS have not issued public statements addressing the revocations. However, several members of Congress have called for immediate clarification and a temporary suspension of deportations pending a comprehensive review of affected cases.

Though Uzbekistan does not formally recognise the Taliban, both sides have maintained engagement in these areas.

Last August, the Taliban revealed that Uzbekistan, at Wafa’s request, began building a $6 million religious school in Shahr-e-Naw, near Mazar-e-Sharif. Over the past three years, Taliban and Uzbek officials have held several meetings.

In August 2024, Kabul hosted Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, and Uzbekistan accepted a Taliban diplomat as chargé d'affaires at the Afghan embassy in Tashkent.

The group highlighted the dire circumstances faced by journalists who fled Taliban threats, only to encounter further risks in Pakistan due to unrenewed or rejected legal documents.

AJSO pressed Pakistani authorities to cease detentions and ensure safe living conditions for these journalists, while calling for legal protections via the United Nations and other global bodies. It urged media, free speech advocates, and human rights groups to act swiftly to address the crisis, warning that ongoing pressures threaten freedom of expression.

Pakistan’s deadline for Afghan nationals’ voluntary return expires on 31 March, with local media reporting on Thursday that the government will not extend it. Earlier, Amnesty International also called for a halt to Afghan migrant deportations.

The funding, channelled through UN partners, will target sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence reduction, and support for returning refugees.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also committed $15 million in total humanitarian aid for crises in Myanmar and Afghanistan. Of this, $7 million will provide food assistance to Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar, while $3 million will support food, healthcare, and shelter for displaced people near the Thailand-Myanmar border.

With US aid suspended, UN agencies in Afghanistan face severe funding gaps, disrupting operations. The UN has warned that cuts could deepen poverty, as much of Afghanistan’s population depends on humanitarian support.

Australia’s government stressed that aiding those in crisis aligns with its values, reaffirming its dedication to global peace, stability, and life-saving assistance. It called for an end to hostilities, diplomatic engagement, civilian protection, hostage releases, and sustained humanitarian efforts.