US deportation policy increases enforcement against resettled Bhutanese refugees
Mar 3, 2026
Country of origin: Bhutan

Changes in US deportation policy, including Executive Order 14159, have led to increased enforcement actions against Bhutanese refugees resettled in the US between 2007-2017. ICE data shows a 500% increase in arrests of Bhutanese individuals from February 2025 onward. The Trump administration implemented a new ICE policy allowing detention of refugees who have not yet obtained permanent residency for a 'rescreening' process. A federal judge in Minneapolis blocked attempts to arrest settled refugees in Minnesota. The enforcement actions raise concerns as stateless Bhutanese individuals face persecution risk in Bhutan, and the immigration system fails to identify statelessness as a protected category.
Timeline
Sources
- This refugee's family faced persecution in Bhutan. Now, he could be deported there
NPR·Dec 11, 2025·archived copy
- A refugee deported to Bhutan by the U.S. finds himself stranded and stateless
NPR·Jul 16, 2025·archived copy
- The Trump administration is detaining and questioning refugees already admitted to the US
Associated Press·Feb 27, 2026·archived copy
- Deportation from the US: The risks for stateless people
- What Happens When You Don’t Belong Anywhere?
nymag.com·Nov 26, 2025·archived copy
- prestigestrumentimusicali.com
- The Trump administration is detaining and questioning refugees already admitted to the U.S.
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