US deports 23 more Bangladeshis over illegal immigration

The United States has deported another 23 Bangladeshi nationals as part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration, after they reportedly entered the country through irregular and high-risk migration routes in search of better opportunities.

The deportees arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday morning aboard a special flight. Upon arrival, they received immediate assistance from BRAC's Migration Programme, with support from the Probashi Kallyan Desk and Aviation Security (AVSEC).

The assistance included emergency counselling, psychosocial support, and transportation to their respective home districts.

According to BRAC, 13 of the returnees are from Noakhali, while the others come from districts including Sylhet, Cox's Bazar, Brahmanbaria, Munshiganj, Cumilla, Lakshmipur, and Dhaka.

BRAC Associate Director (Migration and Youth Platform) Shariful Hasan said preliminary information indicates that most of the deportees entered the United States through dangerous routes across South and Central America, spending an estimated Tk 5 million to Tk 6.5 million each.

Despite the huge financial cost, they were ultimately deported after encountering immigration-related legal complications.

Initial investigations found that 20 of the 23 deportees had first travelled to Brazil using either clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) or tourist visas. They then allegedly relied on human traffickers to travel through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala before crossing the Mexico–US border irregularly. The journey involved travelling through 13 to 15 countries, often by bus and on foot.

The deportations come amid intensified immigration enforcement under the administration of US President Donald Trump, who has strengthened measures against undocumented migrants since beginning his second term.

Under US immigration law, individuals whose asylum claims are rejected or who lack valid legal status are subject to expedited removal.

BRAC data show that 369 Bangladeshi nationals have been deported from the United States since the beginning of 2025. Among them, 36 were returned on January 20, 29 on February 28, and 23 on July 30.

BRAC urged prospective migrants to avoid illegal and risky migration routes promoted by human trafficking networks and instead pursue legal migration channels to ensure safer and more sustainable overseas employment opportunities.