Afghan deportations paused as New York federal judge blocks removals to Afghanistan or Pakistan

A federal judge in New York temporarily stopped the Trump administration from deporting detained Afghans to Afghanistan or Pakistan. The decision came on Tuesday after warnings about serious risks to those removed. Advocates and members of Congress said deportations could place people in danger. Judge Valerie Caproni issued the order as questions grew about planned transfers.

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The US government told the court on Tuesday that ICE had no flights arranged soon. Officials said there were no chartered or commercial flights for Afghan deportations to Afghanistan or Pakistan. This was expected to last at least until the end of the week. Judge Caproni’s order, which ends Saturday, asked all officials to follow that position.

ICE deportation flights and court filings on Afghan nationals

Court documents obtained by the Associated Press said the US planned removals on Monday. The filings described flights leaving from Louisiana, where ICE runs detention and processing sites. The route listed Pakistan as the destination. ICE typically schedules flights several weeks ahead, which became a focus of the court order.

Advocates and lawyers said more than 80 detained Afghans reached out after ICE notices. They said ICE told them deportation could happen this week through Pakistan. Those flagged included women, a police officer, religious minorities, and people with family ties to the US military. Human Rights First and AfghanEvac said most lacked legal representation.

Congress warns on Afghan deportations and Taliban retaliation

A letter led by California Democratic Rep. Scott Peters raised concerns about the deportations. The letter was signed by 65 other House and Senate members. It said lawmakers were extremely concerned about exposing vulnerable people to persecution, torture, or death. The message was sent Monday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Immigrant rights groups also warned about threats after removal. They said people sent back could face retaliation from the Taliban. Thousands of Afghans left Afghanistan after helping the US military and aid groups. Many said they feared persecution and risked their lives due to that work.

Third-country deportations and US policy on Afghan nationals

The Trump administration has removed thousands of immigrants to countries other than their own. Officials have used third-country deportations when return to a home country was not possible. Court filings pointed to limits where formal diplomatic relations were absent. Afghanistan’s Taliban government was cited as such a case, and deterrence was noted in other instances.

Afghanistan also raised objections before the judge signed the order. Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman of foreign ministry, said, "the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan expresses its serious concern about the reports that US plans to transfer Afghans to Pakistan.\" Takal said the US should base decisions on rights and legitimate demands. Takal also said third-party countries should not decide another nation’s citizens’ fate.

Advocates react to the judge’s order on Afghan deportations

Immigrant advocates welcomed the pause, while stressing it was limited. \"Today is a good day, Shawn VanDiver, president at AfghanEvac, said at a news conference. But I want to be honest with you, this is a reprieve, not a resolution. We havent stopped this fight forever. This is just a pause.\" Groups said they remained focused on flight activity.

Savitri Arvey, director of policy, refugee and immigrant rights for Human Rights First, described risks after return. Arvey said people sent to Afghanistan faced arbitrary detentions, executions, public flogging and retaliatory violence. \"The stakes were very, very high,\" Arvey said. Arvey added that women and girls faced severe limits in education, work, and public speech.

Advocates also questioned Pakistan’s role in any transfer plan. They said they had no clear information on what arrangements the US made with Pakistan. Arvey said, \"We celebrate today, but were getting right back to work tomorrow, continuing to make sure through our flight tracking that none of these flights are taking off,\" while groups monitored developments.

With inputs from PTI