Another group of Bangladeshis has returned home from the United States, with dashed hopes of a better life abroad. The Trump administration has deported 30 nationals this time over allegations of illegal stay. The special flight carrying them landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:30pm on Thursday. Of the 30 deportees, 29 are men and one is a woman.
None of the returnees spoke to the media.
This recent batch of deportees adds to the growing number of Bangladeshi nationals being sent back under the current US administration’s strict immigration enforcement policies. Under US President Donald Trump’s second term, the crackdown on undocumented immigrants has intensified, with thousands of foreign nationals deported across the country.
Since the beginning of the year, the USA has deported hundreds of Bangladeshis, with many facing allegations of illegal stay, expired visas, or criminal convictions. For many of these deportees, the return home signifies the end of dreams of a better future, as they often struggle to reintegrate into the local community after being away for years.
In June, a similar chartered flight brought back 42 Bangladeshis, 16 of whom faced complications over incomplete identity documents. Some of these individuals had lost their legal battles in the US, while others had served prison sentences. These deportations highlight ongoing concerns about immigration policies and the challenges faced by those who fall through the cracks of the immigration system.
As deportations continue, many returnees face difficulties in restarting their lives, grappling with emotional trauma and economic instability, further compounding the challenges of reintegration. Local authorities have pledged to offer support for these returnees, but the process remains fraught with obstacles.