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Migration

Kazakhstan Deports 10,000 Foreigners Amid Crackdown on Migration Violations

Nearly 10,000 foreign citizens have been deported from Kazakhstan since the beginning of 2025, according to First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Baurzhan Alenov. The announcement was made during a recent government meeting addressing migration trends and enforcement measures. Alenov noted a consistent rise in the number of foreign arrivals to the country. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 7.5 million people entered Kazakhstan, while 7.2 million departed, a net increase of 600,000 compared to the same period in 2024. Approximately 90% of those arriving are citizens of post-Soviet states. “It is important to note that 97% of foreign citizens comply with migration laws. However, more than 200,000 individuals have faced administrative penalties,” Alenov stated. “Of these, 46,000 were fined for violating residency rules, and nearly 10,000 have been deported with a five-year ban on re-entry.” In addition, over 2,000 employers were fined for the illegal employment of foreign workers. Seven criminal cases have been opened against repeat offenders. Migration Patterns and Permanent Residency As of mid-2025, approximately 212,000 foreign nationals reside in Kazakhstan on a permanent basis. The largest concentration is in Almaty (42,000), followed by the Almaty region (32,000), and both Astana and the Karaganda region (17,000 each). Over the past three years, the number of permanent foreign residents has risen by 42%. Kazakhstan also hosts around 430,000 temporary foreign residents. Of these, 360,000 are labor migrants, 17,000 arrived for family reunification, 8,000 for educational purposes, and 44,000 for tourism or private matters. Government Response and New Initiatives Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of migration laws. He highlighted that over 7,000 violations were detected in May alone during nationwide operations. “Such incidents must be addressed promptly. We need to actively implement digital tools. The introduction of migrant ID cards, issued at border entry points, must be accelerated to improve monitoring and regulation,” Bektenov said. He instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to tighten administrative oversight and called on the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection to enhance regulation of private agencies involved in sending Kazakh citizens abroad for work. “These agencies currently operate without accountability or oversight. By year’s end, legislative amendments must be proposed to require licensing of such activities. Additionally, I instruct the Ministry of Labor to submit a draft Concept of Migration and Demographic Policy by October 1. This document should align with the Concept of Regional Policy being developed through 2030,” Bektenov concluded. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the majority of foreign labor migrants in Kazakhstan in 2025 have come from China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and India, working primarily in the construction sector.

Afghan Refugees

Tajikistan Confirms Deportation of Afghan Refugees

Tajikistan has officially confirmed the deportation of Afghan refugees residing in the country, according to a statement issued by the Press Center of the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Tajik authorities launched a large-scale campaign to expel Afghan nationals, giving them just 15 days to leave the country. The move, which has been verified by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), has sparked fear and confusion among thousands of Afghan refugees, including those holding valid residence permits and asylum documents. Tajik officials justified the decision by citing what they described as a “difficult political and economic situation in the region and worldwide.” The statement emphasized that while many foreign citizens reside legally in Tajikistan for various reasons, some have entered the country illegally or committed serious violations of local laws. According to the authorities, inspections revealed multiple infractions, including illegal drug trafficking, the promotion of extremist ideologies, submission of false documentation for refugee status, violations of migration rules, possession of citizenship from third countries, and the use of Tajikistan as a transit route. “As a result, actions are being taken in accordance with national legislation to deport these individuals,” the statement read. “In particular, the deportation of a number of Afghan citizens is linked to these violations.” In January 2025, UNHCR publicly called on Tajikistan to halt the deportations, following reports that dozens of Afghan refugees were expelled in December 2024. The agency said that at least 80 Afghans were deported, many of whom had valid refugee documentation. UNHCR warned that such actions contravene international law and place individuals at risk. By the end of 2024, approximately 9,000 Afghan refugees were residing in Tajikistan.

Refugees

Tajikistan Gives Afghan Refugees 15 Days to Leave

Tajikistan has launched a large-scale campaign to detain and deport Afghan refugees, giving them just 15 days to leave the country. The move, reported by Afghanistan’s Khaama Press and confirmed by the UN refugee agency UNHCR, has sparked fear and confusion among thousands of Afghans in Tajikistan, including many with valid residency permits or official asylum documentation. According to Khaama Press, detentions have intensified in recent days, particularly around Vahdat township and Rudaki district near the capital, Dushanbe. Afghan men are reportedly being arrested in large numbers, often directly from their workplaces, with little to no warning or opportunity to contact family members. The deportation order is believed to affect thousands of Afghans, including individuals legally residing in Tajikistan while awaiting resettlement to countries such as Canada. Many are former civil servants, military personnel, or others affiliated with the pre-Taliban Afghan government who fled after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Human rights advocates warn that forced repatriation could expose them to immediate danger UNHCR Condemnation and International Concerns The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed deep concern over Tajikistan’s actions. In January 2025, UNHCR urged Dushanbe to cease deportations after confirming that at least 80 Afghan refugees were forcibly returned in December 2024, despite holding UN-issued refugee documents. UNHCR stated that these deportations violate international protection obligations and risk exposing vulnerable individuals to persecution, detention, or violence in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. As of late 2024, approximately 9,000 Afghan refugees were officially registered in Tajikistan. With the new 15-day ultimatum and ongoing arrests, many more are now at risk. Refugee advocates report that detentions are being carried out indiscriminately, often without regard for legal status. Part of a Wider Regional Crackdown Tajikistan’s campaign mirrors broader regional trends. In recent months, both Iran and Pakistan have undertaken mass deportations of Afghan nationals. Human rights organizations have documented widespread reports of abuse, intimidation, and even killings of returnees by Taliban forces. Observers warn that options for Afghan refugees are rapidly diminishing. Resettlement programs remain slow, and few countries have opened new asylum pathways. As a result, thousands of displaced Afghans across Central and South Asia face a stark choice: live under constant threat of arrest and expulsion or return to a homeland where persecution may await.

International

Turkish Court Orders Deportation of Two Turkmen Bloggers

A Turkish court in the city of Samsun has ordered the deportation of two Turkmen bloggers, Alisher Sakhadov and Abdullah Orusov, despite their applications for international protection. The Turkmenistan Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights reported that the court issued its ruling on June 13, 2025, and officially notified the men's lawyer on June 27. The court found both men to be residing in Turkey illegally and rejected their asylum claims. According to documents reviewed by their lawyer, the decisions in the two cases were nearly identical, with some sections reportedly copied verbatim. Sakhadov applied for protection in April 2023 but was later issued a permanent entry ban under Code G-82, which Turkish authorities assign to individuals deemed threats to national security. The court concluded that he faced no credible risk of mistreatment if returned to Turkmenistan. Orusov’s case followed a similar pattern. He applied for protection in July 2023 and received the same security designation. The court similarly ruled that his return would not expose him to torture or degrading treatment. Their legal team plans to appeal the ruling to Turkey’s Constitutional Court. Requests for the release of both men from deportation centers were denied on June 25 and 26. Alisher Sahatov is one of the most prominent Turkmen activists in Turkey. He became a well-known figure within the diaspora through his YouTube channel Erkin Garaýyş, where he highlighted the challenges faced by Turkmen migrants. Abdullah Orusov was also active on social media, where he regularly criticized the Turkmen authorities. His posts often resonated widely among migrants and human rights advocates. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, another Turkmen activist, Dushemov, completed a four-year prison sentence in June 2025 but was transferred to a pre-trial detention center instead of being released. New charges were filed against him following an alleged altercation with another inmate. Dushemov and human rights organizations claim the case was fabricated to extend his detention, part of what they describe as a broader campaign of repression against government critics.

Deportation

Turkish Authorities Move to Deport Turkmen Dissident Umida Bekchanova

On May 30, Turkmen citizen and outspoken critic of the Ashgabat regime, Umida Bekchanova was detained in Istanbul and now faces deportation to Turkmenistan. Detained Without Warning According to Turkmen.news, Bekchanova was seized by unidentified individuals in plain clothes and transferred to a deportation center in Turkey. The incident was later reported by opposition blogger Kalmurad Soyunov, who lives in Sweden, via his YouTube channel. Citing Bekchanova’s legal team, Soyunov claimed that the arrest was conducted with the involvement of Turkmen special services in cooperation with local Turkish authorities. Bekchanova resides in Turkey legally and has long been a vocal opponent of the Turkmen government. Her activism has led to reprisals against her family in Turkmenistan, including a criminal case against her younger son, whom she alleges was tortured with electric shocks during interrogation. He remains in custody. The activist has also received threats and significantly curtailed her public activity following the forced return of fellow dissidents Farhad Meymankuliev and Merdan Mukhamedov, as well as the detention of Alisher Sakhattov and Abdulla Orusov. Allegations of Entrapment Soyunov claims the operation to detain Bekchanova was premeditated and involved strategic deception. After Turkmen intelligence failed to locate her for months in Istanbul, a city of over 15 million people, they allegedly turned to subterfuge. In January, Bekchanova was informed by her bank that her card had been deactivated due to an expired visa, despite her visa being valid. Her sister-in-law, who had recently arrived in Turkey for work, was unknowingly used to reveal Bekchanova’s location. According to the report, men posing as police officers approached the residence and lured Bekchanova out. She was then detained, transported in a minibus, and held for four hours before being taken to a deportation facility. Attempted Emergency Deportation The timing of her detention on a Thursday was reportedly deliberate. “The calculation was that on Friday, lawyers and government offices would be closed, and with the weekend ahead, it would be the ideal moment to deport Umida before any intervention could occur,” Soyunov said. Similar tactics have been used in past deportations of Turkmen dissidents. By June 1, Bekchanova had reportedly been taken to the airport for extradition, without her identification documents. Her legal team is actively working to halt the deportation. Voice of Dissent Bekchanova began publicly criticizing the Turkmen authorities in 2020. Her activism was galvanized by a series of national crises, including the deaths of dozens of Turkmen migrants in Turkey purportedly from alcohol poisoning, the government’s concealment of the COVID-19 outbreak, and a devastating hurricane that went unreported in state media. Her current legal status and future in Turkey remain uncertain. Should the deportation proceed, Bekchanova may face severe risks in Turkmenistan, where her family has already suffered intimidation and abuse.

Illegal Immigration

Uzbekistan Leads Repatriation of Deported Citizens from the U.S.

A group of 131 individuals from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan were repatriated from the United States this week on a special charter flight, Fox News reports. The flight, organized and funded by the government of Uzbekistan, followed a bilateral agreement with U.S. authorities and reflects expanding cooperation between the two countries on migration and security issues. Departing the U.S. on April 30, the flight primarily carried Uzbek nationals who had been living in the United States without legal status. According to the agreement, Uzbek citizens were transported to Tashkent, while those from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are expected to continue on to their respective home countries. U.S. officials welcomed Uzbekistan’s role in facilitating the repatriation. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem expressed appreciation for the initiative. “We commend Uzbekistan for sending a flight to return 131 illegal aliens back to their home country,” she said. “This shows the strong security ties between our countries.” Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the repatriation was conducted in accordance with international standards and aimed to protect the rights of Uzbek citizens in difficult legal and humanitarian situations abroad. Most of those returned had overstayed their visas or were found in violation of U.S. immigration laws. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General in New York played key roles in organizing the repatriation process. Both diplomatic missions maintained close coordination with U.S. immigration authorities and provided support to citizens throughout their return journey. This was not Uzbekistan’s first such operation. Earlier this year, the country repatriated seven citizens from the United States to Tashkent after preventing their transfer to Costa Rica. That effort also followed high-level consultations between officials from both governments. With a population exceeding 37 million, Uzbekistan continues to enhance its collaboration with the United States on migration management, repatriation procedures, and broader regional security cooperation.