Pakistan authorities are launching raids against illegal immigrants as part of a crackdown that targets mostly Afghans after warning last month of deportations.
Pakistan's government has launched a massive crackdown on illegal immigrants mostly affecting Afghan nationals, some of whom have left their home country during the Taliban retaking of Afghanistan. The government cites terror concerns that echo the ongoing debate in the U.S. about the potential connection between illegal immigration and violence. Islamabad said the crackdown against illegal immigrants began Wednesday after a Nov. 1 deadline for them to leave the country.
Amid the push, there are estimates that between 8,000 and 10,000 Afghans are leaving for Afghanistan each day, an increase from around 300 a day. Reuters reported that over 140,000 people had left voluntarily. Authorities have launched raids across the country to check for documents, including destroying mud-brick homes on the outskirts of the capital. Human Rights Watch has said many of those targeted for deportation are awaiting resettlement to other countries, including the United States.
We'll let Pakistan speak to their policies with respect to refugees and asylum seekers,' he said. 'Obviously, we want to see all nations do what they can to help refugees and asylum seekers, and certainly includes our Pakistani friends with respect to Afghans who are trying to flee.' Other Democrats were more critical of the deportations 'This is a direct violation of the basic right to asylum and a death sentence to the many Afghans who would be targeted by the Taliban.
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