At least 31 Bangladeshis have been deported recently as a result of the US's strict immigration policy. These individuals were deported in the past one and a half months on commercial and chartered flights, most of whom had lost their immigration cases.
According to sources from the Special Branch of the Police and Shahjalal Airport Immigration, several meetings were held between the US Embassy in Dhaka and the Ministry of Home Affairs before the process. The US government has emphasized the importance of issuing travel documents quickly and ensuring an orderly repatriation for Bangladeshis to be repatriated.
The Bangladesh government has pledged to fulfill its international obligations and has assured that the returning citizens will be received with dignity. Discussions are also underway to involve the NGO BRAC for legal assistance and rehabilitation of the returnees.
Panic and uncertainty are growing in the Bangladeshi community living in the US. Many are not leaving their homes except for urgent needs, and some are even refraining from going to the market for long periods. Although those with valid documents are not facing any direct problems, there is a sense of anxiety within the entire community.