The United States is preparing to deport more than 150 Afghan nationals by routing them through Pakistan, according to reports citing US officials, with a first chartered flight possible as early as Monday 2 November. The administration has not publicly announced the operation, and the Department of Homeland Security and Taliban authorities have not commented on the reports.

The detainees are reported to have been moved from facilities across the US to detention centres in Louisiana ahead of the removals. Because Washington has no diplomatic relations with the Taliban government, Pakistan is said to be the intermediary: those deported would be flown there before being transferred across the border into Afghanistan.

Who advocates say is at risk

Reports say the group includes relatives of Afghans who assisted US forces and at least one gay man, who could face severe punishment under Taliban rule. AfghanEvac, Human Rights First and the Afghan-American Foundation have warned that returnees could face imprisonment, torture or execution, and have urged a pause until individual protection reviews are complete.

The concern is sharpened by Pakistan's own record. Since 2023, Pakistan has expelled more than two million Afghans, and advocates warn that transfer to Pakistan could become an indirect route to persecution rather than a safe third-country process.

What remains unanswered

Key questions are still open: who exactly is on the flight lists, what legal review each person has received, and whether any safeguards would prevent onward removal to danger. Until the administration confirms the plan or publishes details, the operation remains a reported intention — but one that refugee groups say must be halted before any plane leaves.