They are as much Iranian as I am!

"Any kilometer you are coming into you think that you are going 10 years backward. I could not even imagine," said Jawad, who has spent 22 of his 23 years in the Iranian capital.

It is heart-breaking to see Jawad and many other Afghan refugees, some of whom have spent most of their lives in Iran, forced out of the country. During so many decades living in Iran, these Afghan refugees have become part of the family. They are part of the nation. They are our friends. They are our brothers and sisters. They are us.

During the time they spent in Iran, they did the harshest works that many Iranians refused to do. They are mostly hardworking individuals who have done more than their part in building anything that has been built in the country. They must have the right to obtain Iranian citizenship if they choose so. It is disappointing to see them go. It is incredibly racist and unjustified forcing them out of Iran; their home.