Govt. urges overstaying Bhutanese in the US to return amid heightened immigration crackdown

YK Poudel

Amid increasing immigration enforcement in the United States (US), Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MoFAET), Lyonpo DN Dhungyel, has urged undocumented Bhutanese nationals to voluntarily return home.

The warning comes as the US considers imposing travel restrictions on 36 countries, including Bhutan, due to concerns over visa overstays and national security.

Speaking at the 17th Meet-the-Press session yesterday, Lyonpo DN Dhungyel cautioned that visa overstays could result in deportation and harm Bhutan’s global standing, including the ease with which its citizens can travel abroad in the future.

“The government does not have the authority or the capacity to determine the individual visa status of Bhutanese in the US,” Lyonpo said, adding that Bhutan will not be in a position to intervene or provide consular assistance in cases of immigration non-compliance.

Bhutan’s Consulate in New York is actively engaging with the Bhutanese community, encouraging all nationals to respect US laws and to return home if they have overstayed their visas.

“Those who refuse to comply must be prepared to face the consequences of their violations,” Lyonpo warned. “On behalf of the government, the ministry would like to reiterate that the country expects all Bhutanese, at home and abroad, to always respect and uphold the laws of the land.”

The minister underscored that enforcement of immigration laws is the sovereign right of the United States, and Bhutanese nationals must abide by them fully. While Bhutan has one of the world’s most secure systems for verifying identity and documentation, US officials have flagged the country for high rates of visa overstay, despite the small number of Bhutanese nationals in the country.

“Any initiative that helps reduce the overstay rate will be viewed positively by US authorities,” Lyonpo said. He also cautioned that the actions of a few could jeopardise broader national interests, including remittances, tourism, and foreign investment.

Background

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade recently issued a public notification urging undocumented Bhutanese nationals in the US to return home voluntarily. The notification follows revelations that the US government may impose travel bans on Bhutan and 35 other countries for failing to meet immigration and national security standards.

The notification advises Bhutanese without lawful immigration status in the US to comply with immigration laws or risk deportation and restricted entry in the future. This follows reports of a leaked memo signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which outlines a 60-day deadline for flagged countries to address these concerns.

Bhutan was reportedly flagged due to perceived weaknesses in passport and document security, high overstay rates, limited cooperation with US deportation procedures, and broader concerns such as anti-American rhetoric.

Approximately 1,500 Bhutanese are currently registered with the Bhutanese Embassy in the US, but unofficial estimates suggest the number could be between 4,000 and 5,000, primarily concentrated in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a programme under which undocumented individuals could receive cost-free repatriation, forgiveness for failure-to-depart fines, and a USD 1,000 bonus for voluntary exit. The program is accessible through the CBP Home Mobile App.

“Depending on their circumstances, they might receive financial and other assistance from the US government to depart,” a spokesperson of the US Embassy in India said.

Bhutan is among 36 nations flagged in the State Department’s memo, which includes countries from Africa, Central Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. The current US immigration crackdown follows a June 4 proclamation that imposed full bans on 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven others.

Flagged countries, including Bhutan, have until mid-August to submit action plans addressing the identified concerns. If deemed insufficient, President Trump could authorise entry bans affecting tourists, students, and potentially broader categories of travellers.

In his address during the presentation of the State of the Nation Report 2025 on July 3, the Prime Minister also urged Bhutanese overstayers in the US to return. “Bhutan has been warned that Bhutanese may face difficulties obtaining US visas in the future. Overstayers not only risk their safety but also damage the country’s international reputation, which has been built over decades.”

Bhutanese community in the US

Chechey, President of the United Bhutanese Association of New York (UBANY), a non-profit group established over 13 years ago, confirmed that discussions had been held with US officials, the Bhutanese Consulate Office, and the association to address the situation.

UBANY, which has over 500 members, works to preserve Bhutanese culture and assist Bhutanese nationals in times of need.

“The association assists the consulate office in disseminating relevant information and important announcements,” Chechey said. “However, visa overstays are beyond UBANY’s mandate.”

Following the recent developments, Chechey said hundreds of Bhutanese in the US have reached out for guidance. “Most of the overstayers are students, tourists, and businesspersons who did not return — often due to family responsibilities and economic opportunities.”

He also expressed concern over the spread of misinformation, which has caused panic among the Bhutanese community in the US. “There needs to be urgent communication to counter false information and offer clarity.”

Chechey emphasised the need for formal government-to-government engagement to address the root causes and maintain accurate immigration records. “Proper coordination between the two governments can support better planning and reinforce the country’s credibility.”