Trump’s First Six Months See More Deportations of Nepalis Than Biden’s Entire Term, Though July Figures Decline

Deportations of Nepalis from the U.S. have surged significantly since President Donald Trump began his second term on January 20, 2025, a substantial increase compared to the much lower figures recorded during the preceding Biden administration. Data from Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport Immigration Office reveals that over 200 Nepalis have been deported since January 20, 2025.

This is a substantial increase compared to the total of 133 Nepalis deported from the U.S. throughout Biden’s entire term. The 200 deportations in just six months of the Trump administration alone already surpass the total number of deportations under Biden’s full term. During the Biden administration, deportation numbers for Nepalis were notably lower: 35 in 2021, 22 in 2022, 24 in 2023, and 52 in 2024.

The current trend shows a dramatic escalation under the new Trump administration. While July 2025 saw a slight dip in deportations with 22 Nepalis deported (2 women and 20 men), the monthly breakdown for 2025 shows 6 deportations in January, 18 in February, 32 in March, 26 in April, 58 in May, 42 in June, and 22 in July.

Nepal has consistently cooperated with the U.S. by readily accepting its deported citizens. The Nepali Embassy in Washington D.C. facilitates this process, promptly providing travel documents when requested by U.S. immigration authorities. This cooperative stance has successfully prevented any diplomatic tensions with the U.S., unlike some other countries whose officials have faced U.S. visa restrictions for refusing to accept their citizens.

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, deported Nepalis are handed over to the Nepal Police’s Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau for questioning. After processing, they are released to relatives or friends. Police reports indicate that most deportees entered the U.S. illegally via Mexico, often paying up to $100,000 to smugglers for the journey.

In a recent development offering some relief, a U.S. federal court ruled that Nepali citizens residing in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) do not have to leave immediately. This decision temporarily halts the deportation process for hundreds of TPS holders who were facing an imminent deadline after the Homeland Security Secretary announced the termination of TPS. The court is scheduled to hold another hearing on November 18, 2025, which will determine the long-term fate of these individuals.