US deports eight undocumented Nepali immigrants, first direct repatriation to Nepal

KATHMANDU: The United States has deported eight Nepali nationals who were residing in the country without proper documentation, marking the first direct repatriation of undocumented Nepalis by U.S. authorities. The deportees arrived in Kathmandu on a chartered flight at 10 AM today, landing at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

The aircraft originated from Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire, transporting the Nepali nationals expelled under the U.S. government’s strict immigration enforcement policies. This latest deportation is in line with former President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, which targeted undocumented individuals across the U.S.

The United States chartered a Gulfstream aircraft to deport one woman and seven men to Kathmandu. According to Tribhuvan International Airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa, the Gulf Romeo Papa 23 flight, carrying eight Nepali nationals along with immigration officials, landed at the airport at approximately 10 AM.

The U.S. authorities deported Sushma Gharti, Laxman Kalel, Sukumar Pun Magar, Himal BK, Mohan Gautam, Top Bahadur Gharti, Kamal Prakash Oli, and Tirtha Bahadur Thapa due to a lack of legal documentation. Upon arrival, they were handed over to Nepali police for further processing.

Since Donald Trump assumed office for his second presidential term, the United States has already deported 27 Nepali nationals before this latest group.

According to Sherpa, the chartered flight from the U.S. made a transit stop at Tirana International Airport in Albania before landing in Nepal. The aircraft is scheduled to return on Thursday.

Growing Number of Nepali Deportations from the U.S.

With this latest expulsion, the total number of Nepalis deported under Trump’s immigration policy has reached 37. Previously, 27 Nepali nationals were removed from the U.S., but this is the first instance where deported Nepalis were flown directly to Nepal under official U.S. arrangements.

According to immigration sources, the U.S. government has increased its efforts to identify and deport undocumented immigrants, leading to the forced return of Nepali nationals who had been residing illegally in different states. The lack of proper legal status made them vulnerable to arrest, detention, and eventual deportation.

Rising Concerns for Nepali Migrants in the U.S.

The deportation has sparked concerns among the thousands of Nepali immigrants currently living in the U.S. without legal documentation. Many Nepalis migrate to the United States seeking better opportunities, often entering on student, tourist, or work visas, but some overstay their permitted duration due to economic hardships and legal challenges.

With stricter U.S. immigration policies and border control measures, undocumented individuals are at a higher risk of deportation. The trend has alarmed Nepali communities, raising questions about the safety and future of those residing illegally.

U.S. Plane Takes American Citizens from Nepal

While the chartered flight brought back deported Nepali nationals, it is also set to carry U.S. citizens back from Nepal.

The Nepali government has yet to release an official statement on the deportation, but immigration officials at TIA confirmed the arrival of the deportees. The situation has drawn attention to the increasing challenges faced by Nepali migrants seeking to settle abroad without proper legal status.