Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump plan to deport detained Afghans to Afghanistan

MIAMI — A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plans to deport Afghans detained in the United States to Afghanistan or Pakistan, after advocates and dozens of members of Congress warned that their lives would be at risk.

The government told the court that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had no chartered or commercial flights for deporting Afghan nationals to Afghanistan or Pakistan at least before the end of the week. Judge Valerie Caproni’s order, which expires Saturday, asks all officials to adhere to that. ICE books the flights weeks in advance.

A letter led by California Democratic Rep. Scott Peters and signed by 65 other members of the House and Senate said they were “extremely concerned that sending vulnerable people” would expose them to “persecution, torture, or even death.” The letter was sent Monday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Immigrant rights organizations have also warned that those deported could face retaliation from the Taliban.

Thousands of Afghans fled persecution and feared for their lives after helping the U.S. military and aid groups in Afghanistan.

According to court documents obtained by The Associated Press, the U.S. planned to deport Afghan immigrants…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health