Stranded and Stateless: A Refugee’s Heart-Wrenching Journey from the U.S. to Bhutan

Ray’s story is one of desperation and fear. He was born in a refugee camp in Nepal, came to the U.S. as a child, and faced deportation back to a country he’d never known. Bhutan, the land of his ancestry, has not welcomed him. Just a day after arriving, authorities ordered him to leave.

Now, Ray is hiding in India without legal status or family support. He survives only because a local pastor offered him shelter. “I have nothing here. It’s desperation,” Ray shared, asking to remain anonymous for his safety.

Ray’s plight reflects a larger issue for the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community. Many face similar situations following deportation under policies that ignore their safety concerns. An attorney from the Asian Law Caucus, Aisa Villarosa, noted how families have been misled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into believing they would be welcomed back to Bhutan. Instead, many find themselves expelled within 24 hours.

U.S. laws designed to protect individuals from deportation to harmful environments seem to have been bypassed. Recent statistics show a concerning trend: deportations to Bhutan have surged—more than two dozen people in a short period—despite warnings of potential dangers faced upon return.

The recent history of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees is marked by trauma. Many fled their homeland in the early 1990s when the government targeted ethnic Nepalis, leading to violence and displacement. An estimated 100,000 people either fled or were expelled. When resettlement began in the late 2000s, the U.S. accepted around 85,000 refugees, predominantly because conditions in Nepal were untenable. However, their journey didn’t end there.

Ray moved to the U.S. at age 12 and thrived in a diverse environment. But a mistake in high school led to felony charges, resulting in immigration authorities pursuing his deportation years later. Ray describes the moment ICE apprehended him as a blur; he had mere minutes to leave his family behind, not even getting to say goodbye to his children.

Once in Bhutan, authorities immediately questioned Ray and others about their origins. Instead of relief, they faced rejection based on language and culture. Most deportees are expelled to countries they don’t call home. According to Gopal Siwakoti, a human rights activist, even those who return to refugee camps in Nepal face dire conditions. Many camps have been dismantled, leaving returnees without shelter and support.

The tension in the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community runs deep, exacerbated by a history of trauma and recent deportations. Community leaders like Robin Gurung emphasize that the fear of further deportations has only added to the existing mental health struggles among members. The recent deportations have triggered feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, forcing families to confront their past traumas while worrying about the future.

For many, including Ray’s family, the struggle continues. While his wife works multiple jobs to support their children, Ray fights to return home. “I just want to be a father in my kids’ lives,” he says, reflecting the persistent desire of many displaced individuals to reclaim their identities and lives in safety.

This tragic reality underscores a call for comprehensive reform in immigration policy and humanitarian response. To truly understand the scope of these issues, we must engage with community voices and support organizations advocating for better protections for all facing similar predicaments.

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