Surge in Nepalis Encountered by U.S. Border Patrol Before Biden’s Asylum Ban: 2,660 in 8 Months

Before the asylum ban imposed by U.S. President Joe Biden, the U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 2,660 Nepali nationals attempting to enter the United States without visas during the current fiscal year, primarily through the U.S.-Mexico border with the assistance of human traffickers. According to the Department of Homeland Security, these arrests occurred over the first eight months of the current fiscal year.

Data shows that 610 Nepalis were arrested in October 2023, 550 in November, and 420 in December. In January 2024, 200 were detained, followed by 230 in February, 160 in March, 310 in April, and 180 in May — totaling 2,660 Nepalis over this period.

On June 5, 2024, the Biden administration introduced a new set of asylum restrictions aimed at managing the high levels of encounters at the southern U.S. border. This policy includes several significant measures. One of the primary components is a Presidential Proclamation that temporarily suspends the entry of noncitizens across the southern border, encompassing both the Southwest land and southern coastal borders.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an interim final rule that generally restricts asylum eligibility for individuals who cross the border unlawfully or without authorization during periods of high encounters.

In the final months of fiscal year 2024, there was a slight decline in the number of arrests. This decline coincides with the enforcement of new restrictions on asylum at the border, implemented by the Biden administration starting in early June. These recent figures for the 12 months of fiscal year 2023 and the first eight months of 2024 are significantly higher compared to previous years.

Between 2014 and 2022, a total of 5,180 Nepalis entered the U.S. without a visa via the Mexican border. However, between October 2022 and May 2024, 5,800 Nepalis were encountered at the border, highlighting a substantial increase. These figures represent only those who were apprehended by the Border Patrol.

The previous fiscal year, 2023, saw the highest number of Nepali nationals — 3,140 — attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border without visas. Monthly figures for that fiscal year include 170 in October 2022, 220 in November, 320 in December, 140 in January 2023, 100 in February, 130 in March, 260 in April, 460 in May, 480 in June, 310 in July, 240 in August, and 330 in September.

In comparison, only 1,490 Nepalis entered the U.S. in this manner during fiscal year 2022, while just 420 did so in 2021. Overall, 7,210 Nepalis have attempted to enter the U.S. without visas under the Biden administration, compared to 1,850 during the four years of the Trump administration. During Trump’s term, 650 entered in fiscal year 2017, 720 in 2018, 340 in 2019, and 140 in 2020.

From 2014 to 2016, 460, 410, and 550 Nepalis entered the U.S. without a visa, respectively. These individuals often paid thousands of dollars to brokers to facilitate their entry. While some were immediately released into the U.S., others were detained in immigration facilities or deported.