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Mohan Karki’s recent deportation to Bhutan after enduring over nine months of detention highlights the grim realities faced by stateless individuals caught in complex immigration systems. On 13 January, Karki was sent back to a country he has never known, leaving behind his wife, Tika Basnet, and their seven-month-old daughter, Briana, whom he has yet to hold. This case epitomises the broader challenges that refugees and stateless persons confront when navigating immigration policies that can lead to dire consequences.
The Human Cost of Deportation
Karki’s journey is marked by profound loss and uncertainty. Separated by nearly 9,000 miles, he communicated with Basnet via video calls, expressing feelings of being “a ghost” with no identity or home. Born in a Nepali refugee camp, Karki’s ties to Bhutan are tenuous at best; despite his Bhutanese heritage through his parents, he has never lived there. Human rights advocates assert that his deportation not only jeopardises his safety but also reflects a troubling trend in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration, which has increasingly repatriated individuals to countries with which they have minimal or no connections.
No formal repatriation agreement exists between the U.S. and Bhutan, raising questions about the legal and ethical ramifications of such deportations. Aisa Villarosa, an attorney with the Asian Law Caucus, is pursuing ongoing litigation to uncover the nature of governmental agreements facilitating these removals. “A sudden shift in removal practices often indicates a government-to-government understanding,” Villarosa stated.
The Risk of Statelessness
John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, emphasised the dangers faced by those deported to Bhutan, where they are often in a legal limbo, rendered stateless. Reports of ongoing human rights violations against Nepali-speaking political prisoners in Bhutan underline the precariousness of Karki’s situation. He may be expelled across the Indian border within days of his arrival, leaving him without any nationality. “It’s not safe to be a stateless person,” Sifton warned, highlighting that this new reality contradicts two decades of U.S. policy on refugee safety.
Since Karki’s deportation, advocacy groups have recorded that at least 70 Bhutanese refugees have disappeared into statelessness, some in hiding and others caught in a legal quagmire. The circumstances surrounding Karki’s case evoke a deeply entrenched history of ethnic cleansing that dates back to the early 1990s, when over 100,000 ethnic Nepali-speaking Bhutanese were expelled from their homeland.
A Family Torn Apart
Basnet’s fight to keep her family together began just days after giving birth. She travelled from her home in Columbus, Ohio, to Detroit, where Karki was held in a detention centre, seeking legal assistance and community support. “Motherhood and crisis arrived at the same moment, and neither waited,” she reflected. For Basnet, Karki’s deportation feels like a tragic repetition of history, as he is sent back to a country where he has no connections and no safety net.
The couple’s relationship blossomed against a backdrop of uncertainty. They eloped in December 2023, motivated by love and hope for a shared future. Yet, their plans were shattered when Karki was unexpectedly detained during a routine ICE check-in on 2 April 2025. Despite their efforts to secure a lawyer for support, he was taken into custody and processed for deportation.
Basnet’s pleas to immigration officials about Karki’s safety went unheard as authorities indicated that travel documents had already been issued by Bhutan, despite the country’s refusal to recognise him as a citizen. The UN refugee agency has commented on the inherent risks of returning stateless individuals to nations that do not acknowledge their existence.
The Aftermath of Deportation
Karki’s experience in detention further exemplifies the struggles faced by those caught in the U.S. immigration system. He reported harsh treatment and neglect regarding his medical needs, as well as harassment from fellow detainees. After months of legal battles and a habeas petition denial, Karki was finally deported on 13 January, marking the end of a protracted fight for his family’s future.
Upon arrival in Bhutan, Karki was met with a stark choice: face imprisonment or be sent to the Indian border. Without any identification or legal status, he remains in the same perilous situation that has ensnared many deported refugees before him.
Despite the physical distance, Karki and Basnet continue to connect through daily calls, sharing their grief and hopes for a future together. While Basnet juggles full-time work with her advocacy efforts, she remains resolute in her commitment to reunite their family. “I’m fighting for my family, for my husband, for the future of my daughter that’s being stolen by the government,” she said, embodying the strength of a mother determined to reclaim her family from the grips of an unforgiving system.
Why it Matters
The deportation of Mohan Karki is a stark reminder of the fragility of human rights and the complex interplay of immigration law and statelessness. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform that prioritises the dignity and safety of all individuals, particularly those with deep-seated ties to communities that government policies often overlook. As Karki’s case unfolds, it serves as a clarion call for renewed advocacy and awareness around the plight of stateless refugees, who continue to navigate a perilous path in search of belonging and security.
