Members of Nepal’s House of Representatives have raised strong objections to what they describe as the inhumane treatment of Nepali citizens deported from various countries, including the United States, for residing without proper documentation. The lawmakers voiced their concerns during a parliamentary session held on Thursday, highlighting the degrading manner in which undocumented Nepalis are being repatriated worldwide.
During an emergency session of the House, Nepali Congress lawmaker Ramhari Khatiwada drew the government’s attention to the issue, asserting that the inhumane treatment of Nepali deportees is not limited to the U.S. but is a widespread practice affecting Nepalis living illegally across the globe. “It’s not just from the U.S. to Nepal; globally, those residing undocumented are being deported in an inhumane manner,” Khatiwada said. “News has emerged of Nepalis being sent back as well. Regardless of who is responsible, this inhumane behavior must stop. Deportations should adhere to globally recognized human rights values and laws, ensuring humane treatment.”
Similarly, Devendra Paudel, a lawmaker from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), condemned the recent deportation of Nepalis from the U.S., where individuals were returned with their hands handcuffed and feet shackled—an act he described as deeply humiliating. “Nepalis have been brought back in an extremely degrading manner, with handcuffs on their hands and shackles on their feet, in violation of internationally established human rights norms,” Paudel stated. He emphasized that such actions contradict global human rights standards and called for an end to these practices.
Paudel further noted that the repatriation of Nepalis is not limited to the U.S. He cited ongoing deportations from countries such as Dubai (2,500 individuals), Japan (2 individuals), South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Azerbaijan, urging the government to ensure the safety of Nepalis abroad and facilitate their return in a dignified manner.
The controversy stems from a recent incident on Wednesday when the U.S. deported eight Nepali citizens via an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removal flight, while another individual returned on a regular commercial flight. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, the deportees were handed over by the Nepali Immigration Office to the Nepal Police’s Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau. The bureau questioned them throughout the day before releasing them to their families by evening. During police inquiries, the deportees revealed that they had been shackled and handcuffed during their journey back to Nepal, despite having no criminal history.
India has also objected to similar treatment when Indian deportees were handcuffed during their return journeys. Likewise, the Colombian President has protested by refusing to accept deportees arriving in shackles, stating, “A migrant is not a criminal and must be treated with the dignity every human being deserves. We will welcome back our fellow countrymen on civilian planes, without a criminal’s treatment.”
Recently, the White House posted a video of immigrants in shackles, calling the deportation footage “ASMR” and showing immigrants being prepared to board a deportation flight from Seattle. Many people criticized this, with some calling it “disgusting.”
However, the U.S. defends its practices, citing security concerns. In one incident on a chartered commercial passenger plane, chaos erupted once the deportees realized they were not being transported within the United States but back to their home country. The U.S. claims that shackling and handcuffing are necessary for safety reasons, pointing to incidents where undocumented immigrants on removal flights have caused significant disruptions.
In one case, deportees reportedly ripped every window sunshade from its moorings, bent most overhead luggage compartment doors off their hinges, tore seat cushions off their frames, and destroyed anything within reach as pilots cowered behind locked cabin doors.
In another incident, deportees assaulted pilots on board a flight and injured three ICE officers. Additionally, several migrants reportedly attempted to flee an ICE transport bus but were later taken back into custody.
Suraj Ghimire
View More PostsSuraj Ghimire is a Nepali journalist and the online editor of Khasokhas. He focuses on political, social, migration, and international issues. He has also worked with various national television networks.
