Iranian social workers have alleged that authorities are deporting Afghan migrants without verifying their legal status, leading to cases of mistaken identity, family separation and alleged abuse during mass expulsions, Khaama Press reported.

The head of Iran's Association of Social Workers, Hassan Mousavi Chelik, said officials have failed to distinguish between "legal" and "illegal" Afghan migrants during recent deportations.

He cited the case of an Iranian child mistakenly deported as an Afghan, whose identity was confirmed only after fingerprinting at the Iranian consulate, resulting in his return, Khaama Press reported.