A number of Afghan refugees, including women with P-1 and P-2 cases, held a peaceful rally in Peshawar, Pakistan, warning about the dangers of forced deportation and calling for immediate action to prevent their return to Afghanistan under Taliban control.
The participants issued a statement saying that returning to Afghanistan would mean facing serious security threats, widespread restrictions, and the loss of fundamental rights for many women and girls.
The protesters highlighted the deadline set by the Pakistani government for the expulsion of Afghan refugees on July 10, 2026, and demanded an immediate halt to this process.
They emphasized that forced deportation puts the lives of many women, children, and other family members with immigration cases at risk.
The refugees urged the United States government, Congress, and the State Department to work with the Pakistani government to stop the deportation of Afghan refugees and to resume and expedite the processing of P-1 and P-2 cases.
The protesting women stated that years of waiting and uncertainty have placed them in difficult situations, and returning to Afghanistan is not safe for them.
Additionally, the organizers called on human rights organizations, advocates, and supporters of refugees to engage with the host country to halt their deportation process to Afghanistan.
This comes as, following the return of the caretaker government to power in 2021, hundreds of Afghan citizens, including women, human rights activists, journalists, judges, former prosecutors, security personnel, civil society activists, and others at risk were forced to leave the country.
A large number of these individuals sought refuge in neighboring countries, including Pakistan and Iran, and many are still waiting for the completion of the resettlement and transfer process to safe countries.
