Kathmandu - A total of 583 Nepali nationals have been deported from the United States within a 12-month period, marking the highest annual deportation figure on record, according to data released by Nepal’s Department of Immigration. The surge coincides with the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, highlighting a sharp escalation in US immigration enforcement affecting Nepali migrants.
Of the total deportations, 485 Nepali citizens were removed during 2025 alone, surpassing the combined deportation figures from the entire four-year Biden administration and Trump’s first term, official data indicate. During President Joe Biden’s tenure, around 110 Nepalis were deported, while approximately 350 Nepali nationals were removed over four years of Trump’s first term.
Authorities note that this represents a record-breaking year for Nepali deportations from the US, reflecting intensified border controls, stricter asylum screening, and faster removal procedures implemented under the current administration.
Irregular Migration and Trafficking Concerns
The data also raise serious concerns about irregular migration networks. Reports indicate that many deported Nepalis paid between USD 55,000 and USD 70,000 to human traffickers, primarily to enter the United States via Mexico. These payments often involve families selling land, taking high-interest loans, or mortgaging property in Nepal.
Despite the scale of the issue, formal complaints related to human trafficking remain limited. Official records show that only 24 complaints were filed, representing roughly 4 percent of those deported. Experts suggest fear of retaliation, lack of legal awareness, and social stigma may be discouraging victims from seeking justice.
Monthly Charter Deportation Flights
The Department of Immigration confirms that chartered removal flights have been operating at least once a month since December, indicating an organized and sustained deportation process. Many returnees arrive in Nepal without savings, employment prospects, or adequate psychosocial support, adding pressure on families and communities.
Policy and Social Implications
Migration analysts warn that rising deportations underscore the need for stronger migration governance, public awareness on safe migration, and cross-border cooperation to dismantle trafficking networks. They also emphasize the importance of reintegration support for returnees, many of whom return with heavy debt burdens.
As irregular migration continues to pose economic and humanitarian challenges, officials stress that preventive measures in Nepal are as crucial as enforcement abroad, calling for coordinated action involving government agencies, civil society, and international partners
