15 Bangladeshis Repatriated from the UK for Violating Immigration Laws

On Friday (August 29, 2025), the United Kingdom repatriated 15 Bangladeshi nationals accused of violating immigration laws. They were sent back to Bangladesh on a special chartered flight that arrived in Dhaka at 2:10 PM. The flight, HFM851, departed from London’s Stansted Airport on Thursday (August 28) at 9:00 PM local time, making a stop in Islamabad before reaching Dhaka.

A source from the Bangladesh High Commission in London informed *Kalbela* that the consular section issued travel permits to facilitate the repatriation of these undocumented migrants. Among the returnees, some held valid passports, while others had expired passports. On Tuesday (August 26), the High Commission sent an urgent letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating that six of the 15 returnees had passports (valid e-passports or expired machine-readable passports), negating the need for interviews. Of these, three had valid passports and did not require travel permits, while the other three, lacking valid passports, were issued travel permits per standard operating procedures. The remaining nine, who had no passports, underwent interviews by High Commission officials to verify their nationality and were subsequently issued travel permits.

The special flight departed from Stansted Airport, London, at 9:00 PM local time on Thursday and arrived in Dhaka via Islamabad on Friday. Another reliable source informed *Kalbela* that on Wednesday (August 27), the Consular Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the Security Services Division and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment to take necessary actions as per regulations. The UK Home Office initiated the repatriation, applying to the Bangladesh High Commission for travel permits for these undocumented migrants. The returnees hail from districts including Sunamganj, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Laksham, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Chattogram, Noakhali, and Dhaka, and include women. A review of the travel permits revealed that six returnees had no listed occupation, indicating they were not engaged in specific work in the UK. Others were employed as waiters or in various jobs, and some were students. UK authorities are strictly enforcing immigration laws in coordination with the Bangladesh government. An official told *Kalbela* that many Bangladeshis remain in the UK after their visas expire, leading to their repatriation. Despite having valid passports, some were staying with expired visas. **Challenges in Bangladesh’s Immigration Landscape** Diplomats note that stricter global immigration policies and Bangladesh’s internal political instability have created new challenges for migrants. If this trend continues, more Bangladeshis may be repatriated in the coming months. Visa issuance for Bangladeshis has decreased in countries like Dubai, other Middle Eastern nations, and Europe, with developed nations tightening immigration policies. The UK, US, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia have also repatriated Bangladeshis. In the UK, protests against undocumented migrants have intensified, with authorities actively deporting them. Some have applied for asylum with the British government. Statistics show a record number of immigration applications in the UK this year, a situation anti-immigration groups view negatively, citing a migrant crisis as the country’s biggest challenge. Over 200 Bangladeshis have also been repatriated from the US following stricter policies. An official told *Kalbela* that many Bangladeshis provide false information, complicating their immigration status. Illegal migration often leads to repatriation, despite awareness of the risks. Efforts are ongoing to address this, but individual awareness is crucial. The official added that Bangladesh’s precarious immigration situation stems from applicants using false information or lacking proper documentation, and some engaging in unlawful activities abroad, which harms the country’s migration sector.