35 Nepalis Deported in a Single Day Via Deportation Flight; Paid Over $2 Million for Illegal U.S. Entry

An additional 35 Nepali citizens were recently deported from the United States, arriving at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport via a deportation flight on Wednesday evening. This arrival contributes to a growing number of deportations of Nepali nationals since the U.S. government began strictly enforcing immigration policies, particularly since Donald Trump assumed his second term as President in January 2025.

Upon arrival, the deportees were processed by the Airport Immigration Office and handed over to the Nepal Police’s Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau for initial questioning, though none have filed a formal complaint at this time. The Bureau typically conducts initial questioning and then releases most individuals to the custody of their relatives. However, a more detailed investigation is initiated if someone submits a written complaint to the Bureau.

According to the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau, the deportees were a mixed group, but the vast majority—33 of the 35 individuals—had attempted to enter the U.S. without a visa, most notably through Mexico. The two remaining individuals were visa violators: one had originally entered on a student visa and one on a tourist visa, indicating they had either overstayed their authorized period or violated the terms of their visa, leading to an “out-of-status” designation and subsequent removal. Sources from the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau revealed that the deportees are from several Nepali districts, with 16 individuals from Dang alone, and others from districts including Rukum.

The financial burden carried by this group is staggering, with the total amount spent by these 35 individuals exceeding $2 million on fees to traffickers. Detailed reporting on the fees paid shows a wide range among the 33 irregular entrants: 9 individuals paid up to $70,000; 4 individuals paid $62,000; another 4 individuals paid up to $55,000; 5 individuals paid between $48,000 and $52,000; and 8 individuals paid between $28,000 and $42,000. Five individuals did not disclose the amount they paid.

Analysis of the deportees’ data shows they are predominantly young adults, representing the prime working-age population. 71.4% of the individuals are under the age of 36, with the largest single group (42.8%) being between the ages of 26 and 35. The full age breakdown is as follows: 10 individuals are 18-25 years old; 15 individuals are 26-35 years old; 7 individuals are 36-45 years old; and 3 individuals are 46-55 years old.

This latest group of 35 deportees is part of a significant increase in removals of Nepali citizens from the U.S. over the past year. The stricter enforcement of immigration policy is a central theme of the current U.S. administration. Since President Trump took office in January 2025, the monthly deportation figures for Nepalis have been consistently high. In October 2025 alone, the U.S. deported 38 Nepali nationals (34 men and 4 women), according to records from the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Statistics show that from January 20 to October 31, 2025—following the start of President Donald Trump’s second term—a total of 306 Nepalis were deported from the U.S., consisting of 260 men and 46 women (not including the 35 individuals deported last week). The monthly deportation figures for 2025 were: 6 in January, 18 in February, 32 in March, 26 in April, 58 in May, 42 in June, 17 in July, 16 in August, 53 in September, and 38 in October.

Additional reporting by Dipendra Dhungana from Kathmandu.