The last, 11th flight, which became known last week, brought home 44 Uzbeks. The journey back home turned out to be long: they spent more than a day in the air, making several transfers, including in Armenia and Romania.
According to diplomats, many of the returned citizens had spent a long time in temporary detention centers in the USA as they attempted to cross the border illegally.
One of the young returnees shared that his trip to the USA was driven by curiosity and stories from other migrants. He spent $23,000 on his journey, while some of his acquaintances paid as much as $80,000.
He recounted that it took him almost a month to reach Mexico, navigating difficult sections through forests and isolated paths. Upon arriving in the USA, he was immediately placed in a temporary detention center, where he spent three months.
“Some stay in such centers for years. It’s a serious ordeal that greatly affects mental health and well-being. I would advise those who hear from friends about high earnings abroad not to believe it. The reality is completely different. Even if you manage to get through Mexico, finding a job and legalizing your status will be extremely difficult,” he shared.
The returned Uzbeks expressed gratitude to their government for support in repatriation.
Additionally, "Dunyo" reports that employees of the Uzbekistan Embassy in the USA visited the Caroline and Farmville temporary detention centers in Virginia. During the visit, diplomats met with Uzbeks in detention and checked the conditions of their confinement, including health status and nutrition.
The migrants reported that they were detained for illegal entry into the country, and legal proceedings for deportation have been initiated against most of them. They appealed to the diplomats for assistance in their swift return home.
Embassy representatives, considering changes in US immigration policy, strongly recommended that Uzbek citizens abroad arrange for legal residency and comply with the laws of the host countries.
