Kathmandu, 10 June: The number of Nepalis deported from the United States after residing there illegally and violating local laws is increasing. With the deportation of 37 individuals on Sunday night, this number has further risen. According to Tikaram Dhakal, spokesperson for the Department of Immigration, every time such individuals are deported, they are handed over to the Human Trafficking Bureau. The 37 people who were sent back on Sunday night have also been handed over to the bureau in the same manner.
With the start of 2025, the total number of Nepalis deported and returned from the United States has reached 177, according to Anjan Neupane, spokesperson for the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport. Among the 37 deported by the U.S. government via chartered flight on Sunday were 32 men and 5 women. Spokesperson Neupane stated, “Sunday’s return marks the highest number of deportees in a single day so far. Otherwise, typically only one or two individuals are deported at a time.” This is the second instance of Nepalis being returned via a chartered flight. Earlier, on Falgun 21 (early March), nine Nepalis were deported in a single day.
Since the beginning of 2025, a total of 140 Nepalis were deported from the United States between January 20 and the end of May. Among them, 6 were deported in January, 20 in February, 30 in March, 26 in April, and 58 in May. Prior to this year as well, Nepalis had been deported for violating U.S. laws. According to historical immigration data, 35 Nepalis were deported in 2021, 22 in 2022, 24 in 2023, and 52 in 2024.
The U.S. immigration and nationality law clearly defines individuals residing illegally in the country as violators of the law. According to U.S. law, such individuals are first given the opportunity to assess their situation and voluntarily leave the country on their own. This process is referred to as “self-deportation.”
Most Deported, Few Legal Cases
The Bureau of Human Trafficking Investigation has stated that the majority of those deported to Nepal by the U.S. government had entered the country illegally. According to the Bureau’s spokesperson, Narendra Kunwar, all returnees have been brought in for questioning. He said, “Most of them reached the U.S. through illegal routes with the help of acquaintances. Some even mortgaged their homes and land to fund the journey.” Such travel is not only illegal but is also considered a matter related to human trafficking. However, so far, none of the returnees have agreed to file legal complaints against those who facilitated their travel.
Kunwar added, “Most of them admit they knowingly took illegal routes to reach the U.S., so they don’t want to file any legal complaints.” Although they are willing to explain how they traveled, they often tell the Bureau they don’t want to go through the stress of filing a case against those who facilitated their journey.
While no legal cases have been filed in most instances, there have been a few exceptions—some individuals have registered complaints, and those cases have reached court. However, according to the Bureau, no one involved in trafficking people to the U.S. illegally has been arrested so far.
The Bureau considers any form of illegal migration to another country as a form of human trafficking. For this reason, it has been running awareness campaigns to discourage such travel. According to spokesperson Narendra Kunwar, the Bureau has been organizing community interactions, distributing informational posters and pamphlets at various locations in Tribhuvan International Airport, and counseling outbound travelers at immigration counters to raise awareness about the risks and consequences of illegal migration.
