Iranian authorities are intensifying their efforts to expel Afghan immigrants, with the Governor of Tehran, Alireza Fakhari, emphasizing the need for their removal. This comes as the “Plan to Collect Unauthorized Nationals” and is being implemented in Tehran and several other Iranian provinces. Fakhari stated, “To make unauthorized nationals leave the country sooner, these individuals are deprived of urban services.” However, he did not specify which services the immigrants, deemed unauthorized, would be denied.
The Governor’s statements are part of Iran’s harsh policy against Afghan immigrants who have sought refuge in Iran following the Taliban’s resurgence. The Iranian government has imposed more restrictions on Afghan immigrants in the past two years. Their residence has been completely banned in 16 provinces and partially banned in 12 others. The National Immigration Organization has made the extension of residence and work permits for immigrants conditional on a deposit of at least 100 million Tomans. Meanwhile, the police are arresting immigrants, transferring them to camps, and returning them to Afghanistan.
Employment Ban for Afghan Workers
A provincial official of the Islamic Labor Party has also called for a ban on the employment of Afghan workers. The executive secretary of this governmental organization told the Labor News Agency (ILNA), “The government should prevent the employment of foreign nationals.” He claimed that Afghan workers “have taken the place of Iranian labor because they are cheaper,” and called on the Ministry of Interior and Cooperation, Labor, and Social Welfare to “take measures to prevent foreign nationals from being employed in industrial and construction workshops.”
However, this claim is incorrect, as the Ministry of Labor has limited the employment of Afghan immigrants to hard jobs and fines employers who hire Afghan workers.
Rising Violence Against Afghan Immigrants
Provocative statements by government officials and some media have led to an increase in violence against Afghan immigrants in public spaces. Attacks have been reported on immigrant residences in Meibod Yazd and Eqbaliyeh Qazvin, and immigrants in Tehran have also been targeted. Several online campaigns have been registered to expel immigrants from Iran.
In August 2024, the police violently arrested an Afghan child. At the same time, Afghan media reported that immigrants with residence permits were also arrested and expelled from Iran.
Government’s Plan to Curb Immigration
Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian government official, stated that by completing the blockade of the eastern borders and organizing immigrants, along with negotiations with European governments to accept a portion of the immigrants or bear their costs, the entry of new immigrants will be prevented.
According to official statements, Iran expelled more than one million Afghans in 2023.
This is a summary of original Radio Zamaneh content crafted with the help of AI, edited by a Radio Zamaneh editor. To read the original article, click here.
