The United States is set to deport undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants as part of its broader policy on illegal migration, as per an earlier decision by President Donald Trump.
However, US authorities have not disclosed the exact number of undocumented Bangladeshis or the timeline for their deportation.
Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Washington told media that Bangladesh has formally requested the US government to ensure that deported individuals are not handcuffed or treated disrespectfully during the process.
Diplomatic discussions and government response
According to sources, the US embassy in Dhaka informed the Bangladesh government last month about the planned deportations, following which a diplomatic letter was sent to the government.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the US is notifying various countries through their embassies about the deportation of undocumented migrants, and Bangladesh is no exception.
An inter-ministerial meeting was held at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the repatriation process.
The meeting, chaired by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, focused on verifying the citizenship status of the returnees before accepting them.
Officials also emphasized that Bangladeshis should not be deported in handcuffs or subjected to humiliating treatment.
Number and location of undocumented Bangladeshis
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka and the US have not provided specific figures on the number of undocumented Bangladeshis in the United States.
However, they indicated that the highest concentration is likely in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
According to a BBC report, three US government agencies oversee immigration enforcement – Department of Homeland Security (DHS), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Diplomatic sources said Washington has sought Dhaka’s cooperation in repatriating undocumented Bangladeshi migrants, and the Bangladesh government is responding positively.
A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that Bangladesh wants its citizens to return with dignity.
The US administration has reportedly assured Bangladesh that deportees without criminal records will not be treated in a disrespectful manner.
Uncertainty over Trump’s policies
Diplomatic sources noted that Trump’s immigration policies have been unpredictable, citing cases where Colombian migrants were deported in handcuffs.
However, sources believe that such treatment is unlikely for Bangladeshis, given the relatively lower number of undocumented Bangladeshis in the US.
It is also unlikely that Bangladeshis will be deported via chartered flights, unlike migrants from other countries.
However, officials cautioned that Trump’s second term could bring unexpected shifts in policy, referencing his past tariff threats against Colombia, Canada, and Mexico over immigration issues.