The number of Nepali nationals deported from the United States dropped sharply in June to its lowest monthly total this year, with only nine individuals returned, according to Nepal’s Department of Immigration.
Immigration officials said the June deportees included seven men and two women. Five arrived in Kathmandu using emergency travel documents issued for deportation, while the remaining four carried valid Nepali passports.
Despite the temporary slowdown, immigration experts caution that the overall risk of deportation remains high for Nepali migrants facing unresolved asylum claims, visa overstays, or lapses in legal status.
Enforcement Trends
The decline comes amid continued strict immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s second administration, which began Jan. 20, 2025. Federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have prioritized enforcement against individuals with final removal orders, visa overstays, and denied asylum claims.
While deportations in early 2026 often occurred in larger groups on chartered flights, recent months have seen a major shift. The peak occurred in January when 101 Nepalis were deported, including a single day where a charter flight flew 80 individuals—79 men and one woman—directly to Kathmandu. This high volume continued into February with 95 deportations via chartered flights, followed by 43 in March.
By April, U.S. authorities deported 45 Nepalis on a single charter flight to Kathmandu, sparking widespread concern within the Nepali community. However, the enforcement mechanics shifted significantly in May, which saw only 15 individuals deported, with no charter flights utilized; all deportees arrived on regular commercial flights instead. This downward trend culminated in June’s record low of just nine individuals removed and zero large-scale charter flights.
The cause of this recent pause in charter flights during May and June is not clear. Despite the dip, U.S. authorities have maintained heightened vetting measures for applicants from countries categorized as “high-risk,” a designation that continues to indirectly affect Nepali nationals.
Travel Documents and Legal Status
Among those deported in June, the five individuals returned on temporary travel documents had failed to maintain or renew valid U.S. immigration status. The four who traveled on Nepali passports told officials they had initiated legal processes but were ultimately removed.
ICE typically targets individuals who have overstayed visas, violated work authorizations, or exhausted legal remedies in asylum proceedings.
Data cited by NepYork indicate that a majority of recent deportees originate from western districts of Nepal, including Dang, Rukum, Salyan, and Banke. Many initially entered the U.S. without a visa.
Policy Shifts and TPS Impact
Policy changes under the Trump administration have added to the uncertainty. Temporary Protected Status for Nepal formally ended in August 2025, affecting thousands of Nepalis who relied on the designation for work authorization and protection from deportation.
Immediately following these policy shifts, late 2025 saw high enforcement numbers, with 80 Nepalis deported in November and 98 removed in December—including a single day in December 2025 where 75 Nepalis (69 men and six women) were deported at once.
According to official data from Nepal’s Department of Immigration, deportations fluctuated significantly throughout 2025. The monthly totals for that year included six 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, before spiking sharply in the final two months of the year.
While court rulings have offered limited, temporary relief in some cases, legal experts say recent decisions—including from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals—have complicated the appeals process.
Additionally, Diversity Visa lottery winners from Nepal continue to face processing delays. The July 2026 Visa Bulletin has further contributed to the backlog, showing slower movement in visa availability.
Observers say June’s lower deportation numbers do not signal a long-term shift in U.S. enforcement policy, and migrants without secure legal status remain vulnerable to removal.
Dipendra 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.
