Newly released data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) highlights a concerning trend for Nepali nationals in the United States. Over the four years of the Biden administration, 132 Nepalis were arrested, and 130 were deported. Additionally, more than 2,700 Nepalis were stopped at the border by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and later transferred to ICE custody.
According to ICE reports, a total of 2,891 Nepalis were held in ICE custody between 2021 and 2024. The number of arrests fluctuated yearly, with 11 recorded in 2021, 30 in 2022, 56 in 2023, and 35 in 2024. Among those detained in 2024, 10 had prior convictions, while in 2023, 11 of those arrested had been convicted of crimes.
The number of Nepalis caught attempting to enter the U.S. without documentation and later handed over to ICE varied as well. CBP reported 710 cases in 2024, 835 in 2023, 962 in 2022, and 384 in 2021.

ICE deportation figures also saw fluctuations. In fiscal year 2021, 23 Nepalis were deported, followed by 28 in 2022, 22 in 2023, and 57 in 2024, bringing the total to 130 deportations over four years.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided additional insights, revealing that nearly 9,000 Nepalis entered the U.S. without visas during Biden’s presidency. However, not all were placed in ICE custody—only about 2,800 of them were transferred to ICE.
The data also shows a sharp rise in unauthorized Nepali entries compared to the previous administration. Under President Trump, 1,850 Nepalis entered without visas over four years. Under Biden, that number surged nearly five times, with fiscal year 2024 recording the highest number of entries—3,690 individuals.
The trend has continued into fiscal year 2025. DHS reports show that 440 Nepalis entered without visas in October, followed by 300 in November. In previous years, 3,140 Nepalis entered without visas in 2023, 1,490 in 2022, and 420 in 2021.
These figures reflect a broader shift in migration patterns and raise questions about border policies, enforcement measures, and the growing number of individuals seeking to enter the United States without proper documentation.
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