Kathmandu, March 5
Eight Nepali nationals deported from the United States arrived in Kathmandu in handcuffs, it has been revealed.
Upon landing in Kathmandu, they informed Nepali authorities that they had been restrained throughout their journey.
“We were not only handcuffed but also had chains around our feet while leaving the US,” said one of the deportees. “The chains were removed after transit, but during the flight, we were barely allowed to move. Even using the restroom required multiple requests.”
According to the Department of Immigration, 35 Nepali nationals have been deported from the US since Donald Trump was elected as the 47th president. Among them, five were women. All were returned on commercial flights.
“Another Nepali also arrived today on a commercial flight,” said an immigration official. “However, he voluntarily chose to return, so he was not restrained.”
Officials stated that deportees were given a choice while in detention—either to voluntarily return to Nepal or challenge the deportation legally. Those who chose to fight their cases were eventually deported in handcuffs and chains.
The eight Nepalis arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport at 10 am on a chartered flight operated by Gryphon Air. They were handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau for further investigation.
The bureau is currently interrogating them, seeking details about their deportation conditions.
Sources indicate that the deportees described their return as extremely difficult. “We were barely given proper food,” one deportee told police. “Sometimes, crew members gave us fruit, but even then, we were pressured to eat with the handcuffs on.”
Police asked whether they had any grievances against the government, but they reportedly stated they had no complaints against either the US or Nepal. Instead, some expressed their intent to return to the US once Trump’s presidency ends.
The deportees had reached the US through illegal routes approximately six months ago, reportedly paying human traffickers between Rs 5 million and Rs 9 million. They travelled via the Middle East, Europe, South America, and finally, North America.
“They endured months-long treks through jungles, rivers, and oceans to reach the US,” said an investigating officer. “But they were caught soon after arriving.”
During interrogation, they stated that they had attempted to migrate due to a lack of job opportunities in Nepal.
“Many from our villages have gone to the US the same way. Some who were deported even managed to return through agents,” said one deportee. “We also tried, but luck wasn’t on our side.”
Police believe their statements could help uncover human trafficking networks facilitating illegal migration.
However, the deportees have been reluctant to disclose information about the agents who sent them. Instead, they reiterated their intent to return to the US after Trump’s term ends, according to sources.
According to the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau, one of the deportees is from Doti, while the others are from Dang and Rukum. Their ages range from 22 to 47.
Authorities are preparing to hand them over to their families after questioning.
Following his election, Trump has enforced strict policies against undocumented immigrants. Before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, Trump also deported 112 Indian nationals, sending them back to Punjab.
The US had previously deported five Nepali youths via chartered flight on December 18, 2019. Those deportees, from Rukum, Dang, and Baglung, arrived with their belongings packed in sacks.
Some of them had traveled via India, Russia, Honduras, and Panama, reaching the US border after two months. However, they were detained shortly after crossing and later sought asylum, which was denied.
