The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started deporting Afghan refugees back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, according to a report by Reuters. This development comes despite the U.S. President Donald Trump's recent promise to rescue Afghan asylum seekers stranded in the UAE.

Reuters revealed on Monday, July 21, that the UAE, in coordination with the U.S. State Department, has already returned some refugees to Afghanistan. A leaked U.S. State Department document shows that at least 20 more Afghan refugees are facing imminent deportation back to their homeland.

The news website“Just the News” also reported that UAE officials are preparing to hand over several Afghan refugees to the Taliban. In response to these reports, Trump tweeted that he was actively working“right now” to rescue those stranded.

Saeed Al-Zaabi, Special Adviser to the UAE Foreign Minister, informed U.S. officials that two Afghan families were“successfully and safely” returned to Afghanistan in early July. However, Reuters also reported that the Taliban's embassy in the UAE pressured these families to choose between signing a“voluntary” return or facing detention.

It is estimated that approximately 17,000 Afghan refugees were transferred to the UAE. Currently, the fate of more than 30 asylum seekers held in Abu Dhabi remains unclear. Meanwhile, under the Biden administration, around 200,000 Afghan refugees had been relocated to the United States. However, this resettlement process reportedly stalled following Trump's return to office.

This unfolding situation has raised serious concerns about the safety and rights of Afghan refugees stranded abroad, especially under the Taliban's rule. Humanitarian groups and international observers have urged urgent intervention to prevent forced deportations to unstable and dangerous conditions.

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