KATHMANDU, May 12: Six months ago, Pravin (name changed) from Ghorahi entered the United States through a land route, believing his new life had begun as he set foot on American soil. He hoped to improve his economic status and dreamed of bringing his family to the U.S. in the future, so he started making plans.
However, Pravin, who once embarked on this journey with dreams of a new life, now desperately wants to return home and urges his family to help him come back to Nepal soon. “If there is any way, please help me create an environment to return home soon,” Pravin’s wife said, quoting him. “How can we return to Nepal so easily?”
Pravin has been in jail since his arrival in the U.S. six months ago. He had hoped to be released and start working, but six months later, he remains in jail.
Pravin informs his family that he is on the list to be sent back to Nepal. He regularly communicates with his family while in U.S. prison. During these conversations, he mentions being on the deportation list. “I am on the deportation list. It’s almost certain that I will return to Nepal,” Pravin tells his family. “I just wish I could return soon.”
Pravin’s wife says he is being held in a detention facility for deportees. She stated that those on the deportation list are kept in a separate detention area. “They send people back every day. He says his turn hasn’t come yet,” she adds.
A few days ago, one of Pravin’s friends returned to Nepal and contacted Pravin’s family by phone. After six months in jail, Pravin has been deeply distressed, and his friend informed the family about his situation. “He has been very distressed after staying in jail for six months,” Pravin’s wife said. “A few days ago, a friend who was in jail with my husband returned to Nepal. He called me and said that Pravin is very distressed and wants to return home soon.”
The U.S. The government has implemented a policy of deporting non-American citizens who are staying illegally. As a result, many Nepali citizens have been sent back to Nepal. For many Nepalis who came to the U.S. illegally with dreams of improving their economic status, this policy has shattered those dreams. Due to this policy, Pravin from Dang has seen his dream of earning dollars in the U.S. collapse.
Pravin ran a business in Ghorahi, earning a modest income. He operated a decor shop but could not make significant profits. Eventually, he decided to quit the business and pursue foreign travel. “The business wasn’t going very well,” his wife said. “He decided to leave the business and go abroad, and then he started preparing for the trip.”
A year ago, the craze for traveling to the U.S. grew through illegal routes. Pravin decided to join this trend. He started his journey through an agent, taking a lower route, and reached Texas six months ago. Upon arrival, he ended up in jail. U.S. politics became a major obstacle to his dream of earning dollars.
During the journey, Pravin spent nearly 15 million rupees, all of which he raised through loans, according to his wife. “From the time we left Nepal until we reached the U.S., we spent nearly 15 million rupees,” Pravin’s wife said. “We borrowed all of this money.”
Pravin, who is now on the deportation list in the U.S., is expected to return home soon, his family said. A few days ago, the family sent a letter to the U.S. Embassy, requesting his quick return to Nepal. “We wrote to the U.S. Embassy, hoping they will expedite his return,” said Pravin’s brother. “We are anxious for him to come home and hope the situation will allow him to return to Nepal soon.”
Pravin’s family, eager to bring him back from the U.S., is burdened with the additional stress of managing nearly 15 million rupees in debt. This debt, incurred for his journey to the U.S., continues to grow with added interest.
“The heavy debt incurred from the U.S. visit is a major concern. The interest on the borrowed amount keeps increasing. We are deeply worried about how to repay this debt now that Pravin, who went to earn, is returning. It’s a big worry,” Pravin’s wife said. “Still, if he could return soon, we could find a way to manage here. It would have been better if they sent him back quickly.”
