Over the past 10 months, U.S. authorities have apprehended 3,070 Nepali nationals attempting to enter the United States via Mexico without proper documentation. This figure has increased following the implementation of new asylum restrictions by the Biden administration.
In July 2024, the second month after President Biden’s asylum restrictions took effect, the number of Nepali nationals apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border rose compared to both the previous month and the months preceding the restrictions. Despite an overall decrease in apprehensions, data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicates a specific increase among Nepali nationals.
The Biden administration implemented new asylum restrictions at the border in early June. That month, 200 Nepali nationals were apprehended attempting unauthorized entry, a number that increased to 210 in July. This compares to 180 apprehensions in May, before the restrictions were in place.
For the 2024 fiscal year to date, U.S. authorities have apprehended 3,070 Nepali nationals attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border without proper documentation. Monthly data for August and September is pending release.
The fiscal year 2024 monthly breakdown shows 200 apprehensions in January, 230 in February, 160 in March, and 310 in April. In comparison, fiscal year 2023 saw higher numbers: 420 in December, 550 in November, and 610 in October.
While recent months in fiscal year 2024 have shown a slight decline in overall numbers, both fiscal year 2023 and the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 demonstrate significantly higher apprehension rates compared to previous years.
Between 2014 and 2022, U.S. authorities apprehended 5,180 Nepali nationals at the U.S.-Mexico border without proper documentation. However, in just the last 22 months (since October 2022), the DHS reports 6,200 such apprehensions. This data reflects only those who encountered U.S. border patrol.
Fiscal year 2023 saw a record 3,140 Nepali nationals apprehended attempting unauthorized entry. This contrasts with 1,490 in fiscal year 2022 and 420 in 2021. During the Biden administration, authorities have apprehended 7,410 Nepali nationals attempting unauthorized entry, compared to 1,850 during the four years of the Trump administration.
In earlier years, annual apprehensions of Nepali nationals were lower: 460 in 2014, 410 in 2015, and 550 in 2016. Many of these individuals reportedly paid substantial sums to smugglers for assistance in crossing the border. Upon apprehension, some were released into the U.S., others were held in immigration facilities, and some faced deportation.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
