India Orders More Than 100 Afghan Migrant Families to Leave

DID Press: Around 120 Afghan migrant families in New Delhi say they have received notices from India’s Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) instructing them to apply for exit permits and leave the country within 30 days.

Several Afghan migrants told media outlets that they had recently applied for visa extensions or residency permits, but instead received orders to depart India. Many said they are now seeking clarification from Indian authorities regarding the reason behind the decision.

According to the affected families, those targeted include former journalists, women’s rights activists, civil society workers, and individuals registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The migrants said many Afghan families in India have spent years waiting for resettlement applications to be processed by Western countries, including the United States, Canada, and several European states, but their cases remain unresolved.

Some Afghans also reported that humanitarian assistance and support from UN refugee agencies in India have significantly declined in recent years, leaving many families struggling with unemployment, medical expenses, and children’s education costs.

The notices have intensified fears among Afghan asylum seekers, many of whom say returning to Afghanistan could expose them to security threats, severe economic hardship, and possible retaliation.

The development comes shortly after Volker Türk called on regional and global governments to halt the deportation of Afghan migrants.