A group of 31 Bangladeshis restrained with handcuffs and shackles has been deported by the United States.
A special US military aircraft carrying the Bangladeshis landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) around 7pm on Monday.
BRAC facilitated immediate transportation and provided emergency assistance to the returnees upon arrival.
The deportees are from Noakhali, Sylhet, Feni, Shariatpur, and Cumilla.
This latest deportation brings the total number of Bangladeshis sent back from the U.S. this year to 257, many of whom were subjected to physical restraints during the journey.
Earlier, a group of 39 individuals was repatriated without cuffs on 28 November. However, the most recent batch reportedly endured handcuffs and chains for a continuous 60-hour period.
Shariful Islam Hasan, associate director of the BRAC Migration Programme, said, “It may be normal to send back undocumented people but keeping them handcuffed and shackled is inhuman.”
He said at least seven of the 31 Bangladeshis had initially migrated to Brazil with valid certificates from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). They entered the US illegally via Mexico. They were sent back after they had applied to reside in the US.
He further explained that a pattern has emerged where migrants travel to Brazil with the ultimate goal of entering the US through illicit channels via Mexico.
“Those migrating to Brazil are going to the country with the intention to enter the US via Mexico illicitly and they are spending up to Tk3.5 million only to return empty-handed,” he added.
Hasan emphasised the need for accountability, demanding that those who approved their migration be held accountable.
The practice of deporting individuals in restraints gained momentum during the previous administration of US President Donald Trump, which implemented stringent measures against illegal immigration.
The policy of shackling deportees from Bangladesh and other nations drew significant criticism from human rights observers domestically and internationally.
US law permits the removal of individuals residing without legal authorisation through court orders or administrative directives, facilitating their return to their countries of origin.
