In the largest single-day deportation of Nepali nationals from the United States, 37 individuals—32 men and 5 women—were returned to Kathmandu on Sunday evening aboard a chartered Omni Air International flight (OY 3146) routed via Dhaka, Bangladesh. The flight landed at Tribhuvan International Airport at 9 p.m.
Most deportees had few possessions and were escorted to Nepal Police’s Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau for brief questioning before being released to waiting family or friends.
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U.S. immigration authorities reported that the majority had entered the country illegally, typically through the southern border with Mexico. Only one deportee carried a valid passport; the others traveled with temporary documents issued by the Nepali Embassy.
Notably, among those deported was a former Diversity Visa (DV) Green Card holder—underscoring that even those who enter the U.S. legally are not immune to deportation if they violate immigration laws.
Legal Green Card, But Not a Free Pass
New York-based immigration attorney Basu Phulara clarified that while the DV lottery offers a pathway to a Green Card, recipients must follow all U.S. laws and immigration rules. A Green Card can be revoked for criminal offenses—including drug crimes, fraud, domestic violence, or theft—as well as for immigration fraud, abandonment of residency, or threats to national security.
“DV Green Cards come with responsibilities,” Phulara said. “Misrepresenting facts during the application, such as hiding family members, or spending too much time abroad, can lead to revocation and removal proceedings.”
He cited recent examples where Nepali and Bhutanese nationals were deported after discrepancies were found in citizenship applications, including undisclosed marriages or children.
Surge in Deportations Under Trump’s Second Term
This mass deportation comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration under President Donald Trump’s second term, which began in January 2025. From January to May 2025 alone, 140 Nepalis have been deported—nearly triple the 52 deported in all of 2024.
Breakdown of 2025 deportations:
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May: 58 men
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March: 30 people (24 men, 6 women)
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February: 20 (including 6 on Feb. 8)
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January: 6
Two additional deportees were sent to Panama.
By comparison, 133 Nepalis were deported between January 2021 and the end of 2024. Most had entered the U.S. illegally, reportedly spending up to $100,000 for the journey—often risking dangerous routes through Central America.
This sharp rise reflects the administration’s more aggressive enforcement stance and serves as a warning to others who may be in violation of U.S. immigration laws, regardless of how they entered the country.
