On April 30, following President Trump's completion of his 100th day in office, the U.S. government deported over 100 citizens from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan who were illegally present in the United States. The deportation was facilitated through a charter flight organized by Uzbekistan's government. This action marked the first time a U.S. partner has proactively provided a dedicated flight to repatriate its citizens, representing a productive and growing collaboration between the United States and Uzbekistan.
"Uzbekistan demonstrated its role as a trusted and proactive partner in the realm of international security," stated a U.S. government official. Uzbekistan's efforts included organizing and funding the removal of its citizens and allowing nationals from other countries to be returned on Uzbek flights.
The event underscores the deepening bilateral ties between the United States and Uzbekistan. "This landmark partnership reflects a deepening of bilateral ties and the United States welcomes Uzbekistan’s commitment to addressing shared challenges in border security and immigration enforcement," remarked a representative from the U.S. government. Through facilitating the deportation process, Uzbekistan contributes to maintaining secure and well-managed borders across the region.
The collaboration highlights "the value of burden sharing, as Uzbekistan sets a powerful example of regional cooperation," illustrating how countries can cooperate on complex security and immigration issues while respecting each nation’s sovereignty. The operation also emphasizes the effectiveness of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership and broader collaboration on counterterrorism, law enforcement, and border security efforts between the two nations.