"They value dogs more than Afghans", Refugees share their ordeal as they're deported from Iran: Video
At the border with Iran, streams of Afghan refugees return to their home country, many with children and their belongings in a single bag.
Every day, up to 3,000 Afghans, some born in Iran cross back after failed attempts to build a better life.
Abdul Ghani Qazizada, who manages the registration of arrivals in Islam Qala, told AFP that most of these refugees entered Iran illegally or overstayed their visas.
Nearly 90% are deported, and expulsions have surged in recent months. Many Afghans are warned they must leave within a week or face a hefty deposit if they are over 18.
Upon arrival, refugees are registered by Afghan authorities and evaluated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Families receive minimal financial aid of 2,000 Afghanis ($29) per person, while individuals receive nothing.
The climate in Iran has grown increasingly hostile towards Afghan migrants, who are often blamed for rising unemployment and crime. Ramazan Azizi, a construction worker, described being evicted with his wife and three children after entering Iran illegally. They paid a smuggler $1,220 for the journey but faced eviction when their landlord was fined for renting to them. They were then detained in a military camp alongside thousands of others.
