Mohajir Times – RajaNews: Nader Yarahmadi, Head of the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs of Iran’s Ministry of Interior, appeared on IRINN News Channel to discuss the ongoing deportation of undocumented Afghan migrants. He stated:
“Since the beginning of this year until yesterday, a total of 717,658 undocumented individuals have been deported to Afghanistan via three official border crossings, with the majority exiting through Razavi Khorasan Province. Undocumented individuals residing in Iran are required to leave the country within the designated deadlines.”
Yarahmadi continued, “For those who were unable to leave due to recent events coinciding with the month of Muharram, we have instructed 191 provincial offices to assist anyone who comes forward. These individuals will be directed to camps near the border to facilitate their departure.”
He acknowledged the recent overcrowding at deportation centers but emphasized that “with the support of Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, and South Khorasan provinces, undocumented individuals were quickly processed.” He added, “Transportation issues were resolved swiftly, and due to the extreme heat, both shelter and hot and cold meals were provided.”
29,000 Deported in a Single Day
“At the peak of the operation, we deported 29,000 people in a single day. That number has since decreased to 13,000 daily,” he noted. “Fortunately, public volunteers also stepped in, and Arbaeen-style aid stations (‘moukebs’) were set up to ease the crowding and support those affected.”
He also addressed individuals with semi-legal documentation, saying: “Since March 2025, we warned them that their documents would soon be invalidated. I am surprised that many made no effort to rectify their legal status. The number of those who responded to our calls is insignificant compared to the 717,000 who have left.”
Yarahmadi added that the Legal and Consular Affairs Department is prepared to help individuals—especially renters—who didn’t have time to reclaim deposits. By issuing official powers of attorney to either the Afghan consulate or trusted individuals, legal claims can be pursued in Iranian courts.
Census and Departure Scheduling
Shifting focus to the ongoing migrant census, Yarahmadi said: “All those with census sheets must visit our designated service and employment centers for foreign nationals, which exist in every province. To reduce congestion, we have even opened special processing centers.”
He explained that individuals must surrender their census sheets and receive a scheduled departure date. On that date, they must report to designated departure camps within Iran to finalize their exit.
“This process began at the start of the year, and in the first two weeks of March-April, many people came forward. Those who didn’t now have a limited window to do so before facing penalties. We encourage everyone to comply and complete the process.”
Yarahmadi noted that many cases of crowding were caused by families showing up without appointments, which overwhelmed processing centers. “By following the proper appointment system, individuals can leave the country in an orderly manner.”
Documentation for Post-2021 Arrivals
“One recurring complaint has been the lack of documentation for individuals who entered the country after 2021 during emergency and wartime conditions,” Yarahmadi acknowledged. “Fortunately, since last year, the Afghan government (Taliban) has resumed passport issuance and now does so more efficiently. New documentation centers have been rented and set up within Iran.”
He added that Afghan legal representatives will now participate in court processes and monitor deportation procedures. “They can also be present at our return centers to ensure transparency.”
Toward a Legal Residency System
Yarahmadi emphasized that those who extended their residence permits within the allotted time are now legally residing in Iran. “Moving forward, employment will be the basis for residency, and many Afghans are currently either employed or enrolled in education.”
He recounted a meeting with an Afghan entrepreneur who criticized Iran’s services compared to Gulf states. “I asked everyone with a passport to stay, and told the rest to leave. Only two people had passports. I told them: we’ve hosted you without valid documents and even issued interim instructions to help—but now we must move toward order and regulation.”
No More Emergency Residency Grounds
“Afghanistan is no longer in a state of war, so there's no longer a reason to grant extraordinary residency status,” Yarahmadi stated. “From now on, all individuals must enter the country with passports and visas. Residency without proper documentation will be considered a crime.”
Individuals without valid or semi-legal documentation will be deported, he warned. The previously lax enforcement allowed undocumented populations to grow unchecked. Now, a stricter system is in place.
Border Control and Blacklisting
Yarahmadi announced agreements with Afghanistan and Pakistan to better control illegal border crossings. “If someone is arrested for illegal entry, they will be blacklisted and unable to get a visa for a long time. But if they turn themselves in and leave voluntarily, they can return through legal channels once they acquire valid documents.”
Responding to criticism on social media, he remarked that, in the past, deportations were more discreet. “Now, the public—especially in border provinces—can clearly see it happening. Many citizens have called to thank the Ministry for this transparent process.”
Zero Tolerance for Unauthorized Presence
“We cannot tolerate unauthorized presence,” he stated firmly. “In times of crisis, suspicion always falls on the undocumented. The 14th government is continuing its policy of systematic organization, starting with those who entered illegally and are using services they are not entitled to.”
He acknowledged that while many Iranians remain respectful toward migrants and express concern through civil channels, others express frustration with hostility and aggression. “We do not support aggressive or hateful discourse.”
Yarahmadi reiterated that Iran and Afghanistan share language, religion, and history, and that Iran has always stood by the Afghanistan people, especially during foreign occupations. He asked Iranians to remain patient and allow the lawful deportation process to proceed, just as they had shown solidarity over the past four decades.
Warning Against Propaganda and Foreign Media
He warned against falling into the trap of divisive propaganda from hostile media. “Iranians are not racist. If they were, they wouldn’t have sheltered millions of Afghans for decades. Those Afghans who’ve lived here can testify to this.”
He accused outlets like Iran International of magnifying the issue of deportations while ignoring daily atrocities in Gaza, highlighting their double standards. “This should be a warning sign for all of us.”
Legal Migration Cap and Subsidy Concerns
Yarahmadi explained that globally, a country should host no more than 3% of its population as foreign migrants. “If Iran’s population reaches 90 million next year, our migration capacity is around 2.7 to 3 million individuals.”
He emphasized the strain on Iran’s subsidy system, saying: “We pay subsidies to our citizens due to our economic conditions. The unauthorized presence of foreigners has raised the question of why those subsidies are being diverted to non-citizens.”
Currently, 600,000 migrants have legal status, and over 717,358 undocumented individuals have been deported. “Our goal is to reach 3 million legal migrants. After that, new methods of population management must be implemented—not because of any wrongdoing, but because wartime conditions forced us into emergency decisions.”
Toward International Standards
In conclusion, Yarahmadi declared that Iran intends to return to global standards: “I assure you that by the middle of July 2025, we will resolve the legal status of 2.033 million census-registered individuals. This will bring us close to our target of 3 million documented migrants.”
He reiterated that since February 2025, all individuals with only census papers have been officially told to leave. “This plan is ongoing and is backed by firm policy and cross-agency coordination.”
“Organizing the migrant population is a legal, national, and social obligation,” Yarahmadi stressed. “All relevant bodies will continue this path seriously until the process is fully completed.” #mohajirtimes
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