International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management
Quarterly Publication

Invisible lives, visible challenges: The socio-environmental impacts of undocumented Afghan immigrants on the host society

https://doi.org/10.22034/IJHCUM.2025.03.01
Volume 10, Issue 3 - Serial Number 39
Summer 2025
Pages 391-412
International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Document Type : ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Authors

K. Iqbal
H. Liang

Department of sociology, School of public administration, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211100, China

Abstract
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
Today's illegal immigrant crisis in general and the illegal Afghan immigrant crisis, in particular, are considered a continuous challenge of the current century since the mass migration of people from their country of origin has exponentially increased. Afghanistan has been one of the biggest refugee and humanitarian challenges in recent decades, with continuous suffering for millions of Afghans. This affected neighboring countries, including Pakistan. One million illegal Afghan immigrants reside in Pakistan without legal documentation. Such a huge number of immigrants negatively affects the social and environmental factors of receiving and host communities.
METHODS
This study employs a mixed research method to investigate the socioenvironmental implications of illegal Afghan immigrants on the host society of Peshawar, Pakistan. Surveys and interviews were used for data collection, and the data were analyzed thematically and integrated (triangulated).
FINDING
The study revealed a significant pressure on social services such as healthcare, education, employment, and housing in the host society. The burden on the healthcare system, pressure on the education system, and lack of employment opportunities and affordable housing were direct consequences. Social tension due to a sense of frustration and competition over resources was formed. Environmental degradation such as pollution, deforestation, and land degradation resulting from resource strain and overpopulation with illegality was also found. Besides The study critically assesses the responses of the government, NGOs, and community, emphasizing significant gaps in policy and implementation.
CONCLUSION
The findings highlight the need for an integrative approach that addresses these challenges through targeted policy reforms and that improves community engagement. This study advances the present literature on migration by providing novel insights into the socio-environmental dynamics of illegal immigration, offering an actionable recommendation for stakeholders and policymakers in similar contexts.
 

Graphical Abstract

Invisible lives, visible challenges: The socio-environmental impacts of undocumented Afghan immigrants on the host society

Keywords

Undocumented immigrants
immigration impacts
immigration
social services strain
environmental impacts
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 15 September 2024
  • Revise Date 20 November 2024
  • Accept Date 19 January 2025

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