I Saw 408 Afghan Prisoners Come Home — And I Worry About Their Future

Last Monday, I stood near the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat. Dust was everywhere. Families were crying, hugging, and searching for their loved ones.

408 Afghan prisoners were repatriated from Iran that day.

Most of them had spent months or even years in Iranian jails. Their crimes? No visas. Illegal border crossing. Some minor thefts. Nothing that deserved years away from home.

But here’s what keeps me awake at night.

After the hugs and tears end, what happens to these 408 men? Who will give them a job? Who will help heal their trauma?

According to Human Rights Watch, many deported or released prisoners end up back on the road to Iran again — because they have nothing to eat at home.

So yes, celebrate the release. But also demand answers. Justice doesn’t end when a prison door opens. It ends when a man can feed his family. Read More about This in my latest article.