U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained at least six Bhutanese refugees in central Pennsylvania over the past two weeks.
Among those arrested, three are currently being held in immigration detention in Pennsylvania, while two have been transferred to immigration detention facilities in Texas. Some of the detainees reportedly have criminal backgrounds.
All six individuals previously held green cards, but it remains unclear whether their green cards were revoked and if they have been placed in deportation proceedings. ICE officials have confirmed that they are no longer green card holders.
Since the beginning of the Trump administration, at least a dozen Bhutanese nationals or Bhutanese refugees have been arrested in various parts of the United States.
Under What Circumstances Can Deportation Orders Be Issued?
Bhutanese individuals and other refugees in the U.S. can face deportation orders under specific conditions, such as committing serious crimes or losing their refugee status. Typically, deportees are returned to their country of origin. However, for Bhutanese refugees, the process is complicated by Bhutan’s historical refusal to accept repatriated citizens.
Deportation is more likely for individuals convicted of serious offenses. Under President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies, Bhutanese refugees with criminal records have increasingly faced deportation threats. Reports suggest that a significant number of Bhutanese refugees in the U.S. have prior criminal convictions, prompting the Trump administration to intensify arrests. Some of those detained had already received deportation orders due to past offenses.
“Bhutanese refugees resettled in the United States have largely obtained Lawful Permanent Residency (LPR) or U.S. citizenship through refugee programs. While U.S. citizens are fully protected from deportation, green card holders must comply with immigration laws to maintain their status. Though deportation is rare for LPRs, it remains a legal possibility under specific circumstances,” said New York-based Immigration Attorney Bashu Phulara.
Phulara further explains, “Bhutanese refugees who have become U.S. citizens cannot be deported under any circumstance. Green card holders (LPRs) have strong legal protections but must adhere to U.S. immigration laws. If a Bhutanese refugee has lost their nationality and remains stateless, U.S. immigration laws and international protections generally prevent deportation.”
“While green card holders have a pathway to citizenship, they may face deportation for serious criminal convictions. Crimes such as aggravated felonies, drug-related offenses, and crimes of moral turpitude can lead to removal. Immigration violations, including fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining refugee or LPR status, may result in deportation. Involvement in activities that threaten U.S. security, such as terrorism or espionage, can result in immediate removal,” Phulara explained.
How Many Bhutanese Have Been Detained?
Although many Bhutanese arrived in the U.S. through resettlement programs from Nepal, the U.S. classifies them as Bhutanese nationals. Since the Trump administration took office, reports indicate that at least [missing number] Bhutanese individuals have been detained by ICE in various locations. Arrests of Bhutanese individuals also occurred during the Biden administration.
During Biden’s four-year term, ICE arrested 51 Bhutanese individuals and held them in custody. Specifically, 15 were detained in fiscal year 2021, 12 in 2022, 12 in 2023, and 12 in 2024. However, ICE was unable to deport any of them.
In contrast, ICE successfully deported one Bhutanese individual in each of fiscal years 2018 and 2019. For Bhutanese nationals who entered the U.S. through non-refugee channels and possess valid Bhutanese passports, deportation to Bhutan is possible. However, it remains unclear whether the individuals deported in 2018 and 2019 were refugees or non-refugees.
Why Can’t They Be Sent Back to Bhutan?
Typically, deportees are returned to their home countries. For example, Iraqi refugees have been sent back to Iraq despite risks. However, Bhutanese refugees face additional hurdles. The lack of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Bhutan, coupled with Bhutan’s historical refusal to accept deported citizens, makes repatriation nearly impossible.
For those without passports, ICE requests travel documents from Bhutan, but Bhutan consistently denies these requests. Meanwhile, Nepal does not issue travel documents for refugees.
The U.S. could seek a third country willing to accept deportees, but this depends on international agreements—a process that is neither simple nor guaranteed. Consequently, deporting Bhutanese refugees who fled ethnic cleansing in the 1990s and resettled in the U.S. is rare.
Nearly 100,000 Bhutanese refugees have been resettled in third countries, including approximately 85,000 in the U.S. alone. Despite this large-scale resettlement effort, around 7,000 Bhutanese refugees remain in Nepal.
Trump’s Plan to Impose Travel Bans on Bhutan
Due to Bhutan’s refusal to accept deportees and the absence of diplomatic ties, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to impose travel restrictions on Bhutan. A recently released draft list includes Bhutan among 11 countries facing potential full travel bans, alongside Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Under U.S. law, deportation orders typically mandate return to the individual’s home country at government expense via air travel. However, since sending deportees to Bhutan is currently unfeasible, the Trump administration is preparing to take punitive measures against Bhutan. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi handles Bhutan’s consular affairs, but with no Bhutanese embassy in the U.S., repatriation remains a logistical challenge. Bhutan maintains a consulate in New York.
Recently, the U.S. deported three Nepali nationals to Panama, raising concerns that a similar approach could be applied to Bhutanese individuals. The emerging U.S. practice of deporting immigrants to Central American countries, regardless of their country of origin, could potentially affect Bhutanese refugees as well.
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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.
