The number of Bangladeshis repatriated from the United States has exceeded 250 from the beginning of 2024 until August this year. During the second term of the Trump administration, as the crackdown on illegal immigrants intensified, undocumented Bangladeshis are regularly being sent back to the country on chartered military flights.
On Monday around 7pm, another 31 Bangladeshis returned to the country on a special US military chartered flight. When the flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, emergency assistance and transportation arrangements were provided for them by BRAC through the airport authorities. Most of the returnees are residents of Noakhali; there are also people from Sylhet, Feni, Shariatpur, and Cumilla.
Many of the returnees complained that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent them back wearing handcuffs and leg chains for nearly 60 hours, and the chains were only removed after they arrived in the country.
Shoriful Hasan, associate director (Migration and Youth Platform) of BRAC, informed that among the 31 returnees, at least seven had gone to Brazil with BMET clearance and attempted to enter the United States illegally via Mexico from there.
He said, “Repatriating someone without documents is normal – but keeping handcuffs and chains on for hour after hour is inhumane.” He further stated that although many workers are sent to Brazil under the guise of work, a large portion of them later end up in danger while attempting to go to the United States. Each person spends Tk30–35 lakh but ultimately is forced to return home. He demanded strict action against the agencies involved in this process.
Prior to this, on 28 Novemberthis year, another 39 Bangladeshis returned to the country from the United States on a chartered military flight. Most of them had attempted to enter the United States using the Brazil-Mexico route. Similarly, 42 people returned on a chartered flight on 8 June, and at least 34 Bangladeshis were repatriated on multiple flights between 6 March and 21 April.
According to US immigration law, individuals residing without legal documents are repatriated to their home country by court order or administrative decision. ICE carries out the deportation if an asylum application fails. Due to the Trump administration’s strict surveillance and ongoing operations to prevent illegal immigration, migrants from various countries, including Bangladesh, are facing difficulties.
