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Political aide to the governor of Gilan Province in northern Iran: Air defenses in Rasht shot down a small hostile drone flying over the city
Israeli media: The presence of General Qaani at the “victory celebrations” in Tehran puts an end to the rumors and earlier reports claiming he had been assassinated
Israeli media: There is division within the US administration itself over the extent of what the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities actually achieved
Israeli media: US intelligence also says Iran’s centrifuges remained largely intact
Israeli media: Netanyahu and Trump celebrated too soon, as US intelligence says Iran’s uranium stockpile was not damaged
Israeli Channel 13: The objectives set by Netanyahu for the operation against Iran have not been achieved
Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, CNN reports, citing sources
Israeli media platform: An additional soldier has been confirmed killed in the serious incident in Gaza, who had previously been considered "missing" for some time
Pezeshkian: History will not forget how Iran’s enemies broke their pledges and agreements, resorting to aggression and invasion even during negotiations
Israeli media: Between 14 and 16 soldiers were injured in the incident, which reportedly involved two separate units at the brigade and division level

DHS emails warn Afghan refugees in US: The government will find you

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 23 Apr 2025 23:10
4 Min Read

Afghan refugees in Iowa are receiving deportation emails from DHS, warning of detention and forced removal, sparking fear of return to Taliban rule.

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  • Rahmani, an Afghan refugee, plays with his daughter at the apartment where they were resettled by the Lutheran Social Services National Capital Area organization in Laurel, Md., Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP)
    Rahmani, an Afghan refugee, plays with his daughter at the apartment where they were resettled by the Lutheran Social Services National Capital Area organization in Laurel, Md., Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP)

Afghan refugees residing in Iowa have been gripped by fear following emails from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), instructing them to leave the country immediately.

Shir Agha Safi, executive director of Afghan Partners in Iowa, stated that these emails have caused panic among the Afghan community, many of whom face severe threats, including torture and death, if forced to return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

According to data obtained by Axios, the emails included threats of deportation and governmental action should the refugees remain in the US.

"It is time for you to leave the United States," the notice's first sentence reads. It further warns of detention, loss of work authorization, and possible prosecution if they remain.

"Do not attempt to remain in the United States — the federal government will find you," stated an April 6 email sent to an Afghan refugee living in Des Moines.

Emails tied to old refugee processing systems

Safi believes the emails were sent to addresses provided in a government app used for processing refugee claims years ago.

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Karen Everling, executive director of the World Grace Project in Waterloo, also confirmed that Venezuelan and Haitian refugees have received similar notices.

Similar DHS notices have appeared in North Carolina and Utah, as the US winds down its temporary Afghan parole program. The messages resemble those reported by NBC News, including one mistakenly sent to a US-born doctor in Connecticut.

Meanwhile, DHS confirmed that the emails were sent by Customs and Border Protection to known immigrant email addresses. Some may have mistakenly reached US citizen contacts, which DHS is monitoring.

"To be clear: If you are an alien, being in the United States is a privilege, not a right. We are acting in the best interest of the country and enforcing the law accordingly," DHS stated to Axios.

Refugee protections under threat

DHS had extended deportation protections in 2023 for Afghan refugees who fled after the US withdrawal in 2021. Over 900 Afghans have been resettled in Iowa, supported by local organizations helping them through a complex path to permanent residency.

Approximately 200 refugees in Iowa, many of them former soldiers who fought alongside US forces, have received these notices, according to Safi.

With limited local support, Safi's group is helping families consult legal advisers and review options. He urged action from US senators, stating, "It could make the difference between life and death for our people."

Trump’s secret goal; deport one million migrants: WP

This is part of the US administration's crackdown on immigrants and refugees, intensified with Trump's accession to office. 

The Trump administration has set its sights on a striking goal: deporting one million immigrants within a single year—a figure that would shatter all historical records. According to a Washington Post report citing four current and former federal officials with direct knowledge of internal discussions, the “1 million” target has repeatedly come up in private strategy sessions as the driving ambition behind the administration’s intensified deportation campaign during President Trump’s first year back in office.

Deporting such a large number would significantly outpace prior records. The highest annual deportation figure to date was slightly over 400,000 during the Obama administration. However, officials say it remains unclear how Trump’s team is calculating the numbers.

  • United States
  • Afghanistan
  • Trump administration
  • Afghan refugees
  • Immigration Policies
  • Donald Trump
  • mass deportations

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