Bangladeshi former student self-deports after two months in detention
Apr 16, 2026
Country of origin: Bangladesh

Joytu Chowdhury, a 24-year-old former international student from Bangladesh who studied finance and computer science at Illinois Wesleyan University, self-deported after spending two months in ICE detention, which he described as inhumane. He said he had initially planned to fight his case and reunite with his U.S. citizen wife but ultimately felt "completely shattered" and gave up. The Department of Homeland Security disputed his account, saying its facilities meet medical and basic standards and that it provided him a ticket home at no cost. A fundraiser has been organized to help him return to the United States.
Sources
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