Pakistan's Crackdown on Illegal Immigration Sparks Concerns and Challenges for Afghan Refugees
Pakistan has launched a crackdown on illegal immigration, primarily targeting Afghan nationals, citing terror concerns and echoing the ongoing debate in the US. The government set a November 1 deadline for illegal immigrants to leave the country and has begun deporting and detaining them. Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about threats and abuse by Pakistani officials against migrants, many of whom are awaiting resettlement to other countries. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed alarm over Pakistan's deportation announcement. The justification of terror concerns by Pakistan parallels the concerns expressed by Republicans and immigration hawks in the US regarding the southern border.