Bangladeshis worry amid US immigration crackdown

The United States has deported at least 31 Bangladeshis after President Donald Trump took a tough immigration policy.

Since February, the Trump administration has intensified efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.

Over the past one and a half months, Bangladeshis have been deported by commercial and chartered flights. Most of them had lost their immigration cases.

Sources at the Special Branch (SB) of police and the immigration desk at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka confirmed the developments to The Daily Star.

“We have so far received 31 Bangladeshi nationals deported from the US at different times. Most recently, five arrived on a chartered flight two days ago,” said Golam Rasul, additional inspector general and the SB chief.

According to officials, the deportations followed a series of meetings between US embassy representatives in Dhaka and officials from the home ministry of Bangladesh.

Home ministry sources said a meeting was held on February 23, where Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser on home affairs, represented Bangladesh, and Megan Bouldin, deputy chief of mission at the US embassy, represented the American side.

A subsequent meeting on March 5 at the home ministry discussed logistical preparations to receive the deported Bangladeshis.

“The number of deported Bangladeshi nationals could be several thousands,” said a meeting participant, seeking anonymity.

During the meetings, US embassy officials conveyed President Trump’s commitment to strict enforcement of immigration laws and emphasised that cooperation from partner countries is critical to implementing these measures effectively, officials present there said.

They informed the home ministry that several Bangladeshis had exhausted all legal avenues regarding their residency status and were now subject to final removal orders. The US had, therefore, decided to arrange their orderly repatriation to Bangladesh.

The US side stressed two priorities — issuance of travel documents for Bangladeshis within 30 days of request and acceptance of returnees regardless of the mode of removal — be it commercial, charter, or military flights. They urged Bangladesh to ensure a smooth and coordinated deportation process.

In response, Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to fulfilling international obligations and expressed readiness to accept its nationals through any mode of transfer.

A senior SB official said the government has been working closely with the US to ensure the Bangladeshi nationals are repatriated with dignity.

“This issue was strongly raised during meetings with US embassy officials,” the official said, adding that due to diplomatic efforts and international concern, Bangladeshi deportees were not handcuffed during deportation, unlike nationals of some other countries.

The deportation process involves US authorities notifying the Bangladesh embassy in Washington upon identification of an undocumented individual.

The embassy then informs Dhaka, and the SB verifies the identity before accepting and registering the returnee at the airport.

“If any deportee needs legal assistance, the government will provide support,” said an official involved in the repatriation process, adding that the government is considering engaging BRAC, a leading NGO, to support returnees.

Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC’s Migration and Youth Platform, said, “We regularly support returnee migrants at the airport and can offer counselling and financial aid if needed.”

The Daily Star spoke to six people who were recently sent back from the US.

Ratan Morol, a resident of Munshiganj, said he went to the US in September last year. “I applied for asylum, but the court rejected my petition and deported me on March 16.”

He added that the US authorities paid for his airfare.

Ratan said he was held at a deportation centre before being sent back, adding that he had seen at least 50 other Bangladeshis there.

Another deportee, Ibrahim Khalil from Noakhali, said he went to the US in April last year and was deported on March 9.

“The US government bore my airfare. I was flown back on a Qatar Airways flight. There was no mistreatment — no handcuffs, no humiliation. I was treated like a regular passenger,” said Khalil, who had also applied for asylum, which was later rejected.

BANGLADESHIS WORRY

A Bangladeshi citizen living in New York told this newspaper that fear and uncertainty are growing within the Bangladeshi community in the US.

“Many Bangladeshis are avoiding going out unless it is necessary. Some haven’t even visited local markets in months,” said the Bangladeshi.

Although those with legal documentation are not facing issues, the community is concerned, added the Bangladeshi.

At least two other Bangladeshis echoed the view.