Kathmandu, 9 June: Nepalis deported from the United States have returned home carrying sacks. They were seen leaving Tribhuvan International Airport around midnight on Sunday, some with large bags in hand, while others returned empty-handed.
A total of 37 Nepalis, who were deported by the U.S. for violating immigration laws, arrived in Kathmandu late last night. They were brought to Kathmandu on a chartered flight arranged by U.S. authorities.
According to Anjan Neupane, Senior Immigration Officer and Spokesperson of the Tribhuvan International Airport Immigration Office, a total of 37 Nepalis — 32 men and 5 women — deported by the U.S. in the latest round, returned to Kathmandu last night.
It remains unclear whether they were handcuffed during the deportation process. Spokesperson Neupane stated, “They appeared normal when they arrived at our immigration counter. We have no information about what happened on the flight.”
The deported Nepalis landed at Tribhuvan International Airport around 9 PM last night but exited the terminal around midnight. Since President Donald Trump assumed office for the second time, the U.S. government has been tightening immigration policies. Those who fail to complete visa procedures, overstay their visa period, or have questionable behavior are being detained and sent back to their home countries.
There have been reports of the U.S. deporting citizens of some countries in handcuffs and shackles.
Since Trump began his second term on January 20, 2025, the U.S. has deported a total of 140 Nepalis by the end of May.
According to the Department of Immigration, the number of Nepalis deported from the U.S. has been rising steadily: 6 in January, 20 in February, 30 in March, 26 in April, and 58 in May.
Sources indicate that many of those deported had entered the U.S. illegally by paying large sums of money to human traffickers or agents.
Department records also show that the U.S. deported 35 Nepalis in 2021, 22 in 2022, 24 in 2023, and 52 in 2024.
The Human Trafficking Control Bureau conducts brief interrogations of deportees before allowing them to return home. Investigations against trafficking agents are initiated only if formal complaints are filed.
