SAEDNEWS: Minister of Interior Eskandar Momeni said that one million undocumented Afghan migrants have returned to their homeland in recent months.
Eskandar Momeni, Minister of Interior, has announced the departure of one million undocumented Afghan migrants back to Afghanistan, stating that about 6 million Afghans are present in Iran, of which approximately 2 million are undocumented and must return.
On Sunday, Momeni stated that there are between 6 to 8 million foreigners in Iran and outlined the Islamic Republic’s plans for their return. He noted that, to date, one million Afghans have returned to their country, with over 70 percent of them doing so voluntarily.
Momeni said that Iran cannot accommodate more than this number of migrants, adding that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees came to Iran a few days ago and expressed special gratitude for the Islamic Republic’s efforts.
The minister also said that Afghan officials, especially governors of neighboring provinces, also came to Iran and saw that the repatriation process is being done with utmost respect.
He further said that Iran and Afghanistan are neighbors and have a long history and many commonalities, adding that millions of Afghan migrants are legally present in Iran, working and building lives; however, those who are undocumented must return.