his article examines the draft-bill for the establishment of the National Migration Organization in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the challenges associated with the large presence of Afghan citizens in the country. Given Iran's geographical location and the influx of millions of Afghan migrants, the lack of effective laws to manage foreign nationals, especially refugees, has become a serious challenge. The draft-bill for the establishment of the National Migration Organization, which was generally approved in 2022, aims to provide a legal and transparent framework for managing migrants. This article, focusing on legal and policy challenges, evaluates the provisions of this draft-bill and examines its strengths and weaknesses.



One of the main challenges is the lack of effective rule of law and a comprehensive policy for determining the status of refugees. The draft-bill, by establishing a Migration Coordination Council and a National Migration Organization, seeks to unify scattered laws. However, some provisions, such as granting temporary and fixed-term residence, do not seem very effective considering the specific circumstances of Afghan citizens. Additionally, insufficient attention to international obligations regarding refugee rights is another weakness.



Finally, the article suggests that for better management of the situation of Afghan migrants, cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and utilizing the capacity of non-governmental organizations is essential. The establishment of the National Migration Organization is a positive step towards strengthening the rule of law, but it requires reforms to increase efficiency and better align with international obligations.