Illegal immigration: 36 more Bangladeshis sent back from US
This brings the total number of Bangladeshis deported from the US since the start of 2025 to 293.
The United States have deported another 36 Bangladeshi nationals today (20 January) as part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration.
A special US military flight carrying the group landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12pm today, according to a press release from BRACs Migration Programme.
Of the 36 deportees, 21 came from Noakhali, two from Lakshmipur, and one each from Munshiganj, Dhaka, Lalmonirhat, Shariatpur, Barguna, Feni, Sirajganj, Gazipur, Kishoreganj, Tangail, Cumilla, Chattogram and Netrokona.
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This brings the total number of Bangladeshis deported from the US since the start of 2025 to 293.
Driven by dreams of a better life abroad, many had sold family land and jewellery or taken loans, spending between Tk40–45 lakh each, with some paying as much as Tk60–80 lakh, to reach the US. But their hopes collapsed, and they returned home empty-handed, the release added.
Jahidul Islam from Noakhali said he paid nearly Tk80 lakh to brokers in hopes of reaching the United States via South America.
Another returnee, Sultana Akter from Gazipur, said she handed over Tk30 lakh to manpower agents to cross the Mexico border from Brazil, but all the money went to waste.
Several others from Noakhali also returned home after failed attempts, despite spending large sums, reads the release.
BRAC officials said most of the deportees had first travelled legally to Brazil with clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). "From there, they illegally entered the US, crossing the Mexico border, and applied for asylum."
"However, after lengthy legal proceedings, US authorities rejected their claims and decided to send them back to Bangladesh," the officials added.
According to media reports, since Donald Trump began his second term as US president, the crackdown on illegal immigrants has intensified. As part of this, citizens of Bangladesh and other countries have been deported in multiple rounds.
Under US law, immigrants without valid documents can be deported by court order or administrative directive. If asylum applications fail, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arranges repatriation.
Recently, the process has accelerated, with chartered and military flights increasingly used. Reports have even emerged of deportees allegedly being shackled in hand and foot during return flights.
