Photo courtesy of VN Express Vietnam has received 77 citizens deported from the U.S. in the first quarter of 2026, as repatriations increase under stricter American immigration policies. This move follows Vietnam’s agreement in early 2025 to speed up the process of handling U.S. repatriation requests. Get today's headlines by email Ho Chi Minh City police announced on March 23 that they had received 34 deportees, marking the first public disclosure of such a handover in the city. These individuals, registered residents of Ho Chi Minh City, were deported for either violating U.S. laws or failing to meet residency requirements. The city's Immigration Department managed their processing, verified identities, and offered initial support before transferring the individuals to their families and local authorities. Central Vietnam regions such as Ha Tinh and Hue have also reported receiving deportees recently. On March 22, Hue Police confirmed the arrival of seven individuals at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, who had previously attempted illegal entry into the U.S. or violated American laws. These deportees, aged between 29 and 55, were subsequently taken to their home city. The acceleration in deportations coincides with increased global deportation operations by the Trump administration. In May 2025, a significant deportation flight returned 93 Vietnamese nationals along with 65 Laotian deportees to Southeast Asia. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data indicate that over 8,600 Vietnamese nationals currently have removal orders, including long-term residents who entered the U.S. as refugees decades ago. Vietnamese authorities have advised citizens planning to travel abroad for work or study to adhere to local laws. They caution that illegal residence or employment could result in arrest, fines, or deportation, emphasizing the importance of compliance with host-country regulations, reported VN Express. Join the discussion? Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 25 Mar 2026
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