Iran’s Border Forces Intensify Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

Majid Shoja, General Commander of Border Forces in Iran’s Khorasan Razavi Province, announced that 15,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested and deported to Afghanistan since the start of the year, Khaama Press reported yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference on August 6, he emphasized enhanced border security measures, including the construction of radar-equipped surveillance towers along the eastern border, set to take two years to complete. These efforts aim to curb illegal immigration and combat weapon and drug smuggling.

Despite international criticism, the deportation of Afghan migrants continues, with Taliban Deputy Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat reporting that 4,000 Afghan immigrants have been released from Iranian prisons following negotiations. The treatment of Afghan migrants in Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey has drawn scrutiny from human rights organizations, highlighting the need for a collaborative international response to address the root causes of migration while ensuring the dignity and rights of those affected.