TEHRAN — A senior Iranian police official has warned of strict measures against undocumented foreign nationals and their employers, calling their presence in the country a “crime.”
Sardar Qassim Rezai, the general commander of Iran’s police force, emphasized the issue while addressing a ceremony on Kish Island. He particularly referred to Afghan migrants, highlighting concerns over their residency without legal documentation.
“The presence of undocumented nationals is considered a crime,” Rezai said, urging authorities to pay close attention to the issue, especially in areas like Kish.
Iran has repeatedly signaled its intent to crack down on undocumented migrants, citing economic challenges as a driving factor.
Officials have stated plans to deport more than two million Afghan migrants by the end of the current Iranian solar year, which concludes in March 2025.
The influx of Afghan migrants into Iran has surged since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, with many fleeing political instability, violence, and economic hardship. However, Iranian officials have expressed frustration over the strain this has placed on the country’s economy and infrastructure.
Caroline Gluck, a spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), previously noted that the majority of refugees returning from Iran are deportees, raising concerns over the treatment of migrants and their access to legal protections.
The remarks by Rezai underscore the growing tension between Iran and its migrant population, particularly Afghans, many of whom remain undocumented. Human rights groups have urged Tehran to adhere to international conventions on the treatment of refugees and migrants, as the country’s deportation policies face increasing scrutiny.
