Update, November 3, 2026: a federal judge in New York temporarily blocked deportations of Afghans to Afghanistan or Pakistan through November 7. Read more: Judge Blocks Afghan Deportations for Now: What to Check If a Relative Is Detained.
The U.S. government plans to deport Afghans through Pakistan, with onward transport to Afghanistan, according to court documents obtained by the Associated Press (AP) and published on October 31, 2026. The flights would leave from Louisiana, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) runs detention and processing facilities.
At Campos Law Firm, we closely monitor developments in U.S. immigration policy to protect our clients’ rights and future. For now, this is a reported plan, not a confirmed deportation. Below, we explain what is known, what is not, and what you can do.
What do the court documents show?
According to AP, in an October 30 filing in federal court in Virginia, a senior ICE official acknowledged that an Afghan immigrant was scheduled for a charter flight from Alexandria, Louisiana, to Pakistan, “with further transport onward to Afghanistan.” That man, whose name was not released, is not in custody and is challenging his deportation.
In a separate federal case in Oklahoma, prosecutors disclosed on October 26 that a second Afghan immigrant would be deported to Afghanistan the following week. That makes at least two people named in court records. Bloomberg first reported the Pakistan plan, and The New York Times reported the onward leg to Afghanistan.
What is still unknown?
The flight date has not been confirmed. AP said deportations could begin as early as November 2, while the group Human Rights First said it had confirmed a flight from Louisiana to Pakistan for Tuesday, November 3. As of publication, there was no confirmation that the flight had taken place.
It is also unclear how many people would be moved. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said the plan would affect hundreds of Afghans, including women, children, and people who supported U.S. forces. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said ICE does not comment on future operations for security reasons, and the Pakistani Embassy did not respond to AP.
According to AP, it is not clear whether any of the Afghans slated for removal hold an order protecting them from being sent home. That detail is key to the legal impact.
Why are those who helped the U.S. at risk?
Advocates warn that returnees could face Taliban retaliation, especially those who helped the U.S. military or aid groups. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, called the plan “absolutely unconscionable.” Human Rights First described it as an unprecedented mass deportation flight of Afghans.
The U.S. has no formal relations with the Taliban government, and AP notes that in such cases the administration has used third countries as a route out. Human Rights First said Iranian Christian converts have already been sent to Iran through Qatar and Kuwait, and a Russian dissident to Russia through Egypt.
What do withholding of removal and CAT protect in an indirect deportation?
Withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) are granted by an immigration judge and bar deportation to the country named in the order, not to every country. That is why the government can try to send a protected person to a third country, as we saw in the case of the Venezuelan woman deported to the Central African Republic.
A removal “through Pakistan” raises a different question: if the real destination is Afghanistan, a stopover should not cancel a protection granted as to Afghanistan. Each case depends on what the order says, the notice the person receives, and the evidence about the final destination. The Supreme Court will hear DHS v. D.V.D. on third-country deportations in December; in the meantime, those removals continue.
If you or a relative have ties to Afghanistan and are detained or have a removal order, it is worth reviewing now:
- Your order: request a copy of the removal order and of any withholding or CAT decision, and check which country it covers.
- The destination: ask ICE in writing which country it intends to send you to, and keep every notice.
- Your fear: if you fear persecution or torture in Pakistan or Afghanistan, say so clearly and ask for a fear interview.
- Your record with the U.S.: gather proof of work with the military, contractors, or U.S. organizations, and of any Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) application.
- Emergency remedies: depending on the case, there may be a motion to reopen based on changed circumstances, a request for a stay of removal, or a habeas corpus petition in federal court.
- Where the detainee is: family members can search the ICE detainee locator and write down the registration number (A-Number).
Our immigration attorneys can review the order and deadlines before a transfer is scheduled.
Protect Your Immigration Status with Campos Law Firm
When flights are already being scheduled, the window to act is short. Having your documents ready, knowing what protection you hold, and working with an attorney who knows your file can make a difference. Campos Law Firm is here to help you.
Do not leave your immigration status to chance. Call us today at +1 (844) 922-6767 to schedule a free, confidential consultation in English or Spanish. Campos Law Firm: Legal Solutions in All Areas of Law.
With information from the Associated Press, ABC News and the U.S. Supreme Court.
