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Published : 20 Jan 2026, 10:09 PM
Noakhali’s Zahidul Islam spent nearly Tk 8 million trying to reach the United States through Brazil and Mexico. Instead, he was deported along with 35 other Bangladeshis as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal migration.
A US military flight carrying the group, including one woman, landed at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at Tuesday noon.
Officials from the expatriates’ welfare desk and aviation security assisted after their return while NGO BRAC provided emergency support and transport.
BRAC reported that of the 36 deportees, 21 were from Noakhali, two from Lakshmipur, and the rest from districts including Dhaka, Munshiganj, Lalmonirhat, Shariatpur, Barguna, Feni, Sirajganj, Gazipur, Kishoreganj, Tangail, Cumilla, Chattogram and Netrokona.
Since the start of 2025, 293 Bangladeshis have been deported from the US.
Most had initially travelled legally to Brazil with clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), but later crossed into the US illegally via Mexico.
Their asylum applications were rejected after lengthy legal processes.
The returnees described paying huge sums to brokers: Zahidul Islam Tk 8 million, Mir Hasan Tk 5.5 million, Riadul Islam Tk 5 million and Md Rakib Tk 6 million.
Gazipur’s Sultana Akter said she paid Tk 3 million to cross the Mexico border.
Shariful questioned whether Brazil is being used as a transit route rather than a genuine labour destination.
“Agencies and officials involved in sending workers must be held accountable,” he said, noting that 1,320 Bangladeshis went to Brazil in 2025, including 951 from Noakhali.
The deportations come amid tougher US measures under President Donald Trump, including suspension of immigrant visa processing for several countries.
Since last year, deportees have been flown back on chartered and military flights, often shackled throughout the journey, drawing criticism at home and abroad.
