Afghans caught in mass deportations in Iran face an uncertain future at home

Returnees cross the border from Iran on July 3 in Islam Qala, Afghanistan. More than 1.3 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan this year from Iran, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, after the Iranian government ordered undocumented Afghans to leave the country.

Earlier this year, Iran ordered Afghans living illegally in the country to leave. Since then, the government has labeled them Israeli spies, targeted their housing, employment and banking.

(Image credit: Elise Blanchard)