Every Month, 100 Nepalis Deported Back to Nepal; 1,300 Nepalis Face Deportation from the U.S.

As Nepalese people migrate to over 114 countries worldwide, data reveals that the number of Nepalis living abroad is increasing, but so are the challenges they face. According to a report, an average of 4 Nepalis are deported daily from various countries back to Nepal.

Data from the Department of Immigration shows that, on average, more than 3 Nepalis are deported daily, with around 100 deported each month from different countries. As of November 22 this year, 1,162 Nepali citizens have been deported back to Nepal.

This year, the highest number of Nepalis were deported from the UAE, followed by Malaysia and Qatar. Over the past four years, 114 Nepali citizens have been deported from the United States alone.

According to the Department of Immigration, 33 Nepalis have been deported from the U.S. so far in 2024, with eight of them returning to Nepal in a single batch. In previous years, 24 Nepalis were deported from the U.S. in 2023, 22 in 2022, and 35 in 2021.

Despite deportation orders, approximately 1.45 million undocumented immigrants remain in the U.S., according to reports. Of these, 1,365 are Nepalis, as revealed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Although these individuals are not in detention, they are on the priority list for deportation under the expected policies of the upcoming Trump administration. Trump has stated that such individuals will be the first to be deported.

According to data from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), a total of 3,449 Nepalis have received deportation orders to date.

Nepalis deported from various countries include a wide range of individuals — from youth who went abroad for employment or education to sitting government ministers. Recently, Lilaballabh Adhikari, the Minister of Law of Koshi Province, was deported from Japan directly from the airport and sent back to Nepal.

Tikaram Dhakal, Director of the Department of Immigration, shared with BBC that 270 Nepalis were deported from the UAE, 88 from Malaysia, and 64 from Qatar.

According to data from the last five years, 2023 saw the highest number of Nepalis deported, with 1,443 citizens sent back to Nepal. In 2022, 1,167 Nepalis were deported, while in 2021, the number stood at 880.

Bhavesh Rimal, spokesperson for the Human Trafficking and Investigation Bureau of the Nepal Police, stated that most of the Nepalis deported from the U.S. had entered the country illegally via Mexico.