Forty Nepalis who came to the United States as children and have been undocumented for over 17 years are grappling with uncertainty and fear. These undocumented immigrants were brought to the U.S. as children and remain under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Although President-elect Donald Trump has stated he would allow them to stay in the U.S., doubts linger due to his previous efforts to end the program.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 40 Nepalis are currently protected under DACA after losing their immigration status as children. However, the program’s future remains uncertain. In 2021, there were 50 Nepalis in the program, down from 60 in 2018. These individuals arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16 and have lived continuously in the country since 2007 or earlier. They also met the eligibility criteria of being under 31 years old as of June 2012.
Introduced by President Barack Obama in 2012, DACA provides temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children—often referred to as “Dreamers.” Many Nepali recipients entered the U.S. under various visas or other means, later losing legal status.
Legal battles have shaped the program’s trajectory. Courts blocked both Donald Trump’s attempt to terminate DACA and President Joe Biden’s efforts to expand it. While these rulings allowed current DACA recipients to maintain their status, new applications have been halted, leaving many in limbo.
One Nepali DACA recipient, who wishes to remain anonymous, now over 40, expressed frustration:
“During Biden’s tenure, we were promised a pathway to green cards, but that promise was unfulfilled. Trump, who previously tried to end DACA, now claims he will let us stay. After Biden’s unkept promises, it’s hard to trust Trump. We are forced to live in fear and doubt.”
The individual continued: “We studied in the USA, worked in the USA, and gave our entire youth to this country. Now, we face the threat of deportation.”
Immigrant rights activists have long urged Congress to provide permanent protections for DACA recipients. While both Democrats and Republicans have expressed sympathy for undocumented children, bipartisan efforts to resolve their status have repeatedly failed.
“It is reasonable to hope for bipartisan cooperation on immigration reform, particularly regarding DACA recipients, as this issue has historically garnered some level of bipartisan support. However, the political landscape in 2025 will depend on multiple factors, including the composition of Congress, public opinion, and the priorities of the administration,” said Keshab Raj Seadie, a New York City-based immigration attorney.
“For the approximately 40 Nepali DACA recipients, their future under DACA will be tied to broader immigration negotiations. Advocacy efforts and legal challenges continue to play a significant role in preserving and potentially expanding protections for DACA recipients. While DACA status does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, any legislative bargain on immigration reform could address this. The situation will likely remain dynamic, and it will be important to monitor developments as they unfold,” Seadie added.
As Trump prepares to take office, Nepali Dreamers and thousands of others await clarity on their futures, caught between hope and uncertainty.
Cover image generated by AI
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.
