The United States has deported 37 Nepali citizens on a single flight, matching a previous record for the largest single-day deportation of Nepalis from the country. The chartered flight, carrying 35 men and two women, has already departed and is scheduled to land in Nepal on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
According to Nepali immigration sources, the deportees are expected to arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM local time via Omni Air’s flight number N828AX.
All the individuals were arrested in the U.S. for violating immigration laws. The Nepali Embassy provided travel documents to those without passports to facilitate their deportation. The deportees are from various districts across Nepal, including Dailekh, Western Rukum, Eastern Rukum, Salyan, and Kathmandu, and represent various communities such as Bahun, Chhetri, Magar, Newar, and Tharu.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, the deportees will be transferred to Nepal’s Human Trafficking Control Bureau for processing. Historically, the bureau has conducted brief inquiries before releasing deportees to their homes, with no reports of extended detention for those returned from the U.S.
On June 8, 2025, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flight also deported 37 Nepali citizens, a number that was, at the time, the largest single-day deportation.
Since President Donald Trump’s second term began on January 20, 2025, a total of 215 Nepalis—197 men and 18 women—have been deported as of the end of August 2025. This trend is expected to continue and potentially accelerate following the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepalis on August 20, 2025.
The TPS program, which protected approximately 7,000 Nepalis from deportation, ended after a court order. This decision came after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed a lower court’s order, clearing the way for the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepal. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data indicates that an additional 1,500 Nepalis who were not covered by TPS but had received deportation orders are now at heightened risk of removal.
Deportation figures for Nepali citizens have risen sharply in 2025, with May recording the highest number of deportations at 58, followed by June with 42. Although August’s figures (16) were lower than in previous months, the overall trend for the year remains a concern for the Nepali community.
Nepal has consistently accepted its deported citizens, thereby avoiding diplomatic tensions with the U.S., a practice that contrasts with other countries that have faced U.S. visa restrictions for refusing to accept their deported nationals. The Nepali Embassy in Washington, D.C., plays a crucial role by providing the necessary travel documents to ensure a smooth repatriation process.
The Nepali diaspora in the U.S. is increasingly concerned about the rise in deportations, particularly after the termination of TPS and the stricter immigration policies of the current administration. Many fear that without TPS protections, the number of deportations will continue to rise in the coming months.
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D. Dhungana
View More PostsDipendra Dhungana is a journalist based in Kathmandu with over a decade of experience in photojournalism. His work has been featured in numerous national and international outlets, showcasing the stories and resilience of the Nepali people. He is also a contributing journalist for NepYork.
