Student Visa Holder Self-Deports After 'Inhumane' ICE Detention

Joytu Chowdhury, a former international student, said he felt he had no choice but to leave the U.S. after months in immigration custody.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:57pm

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A solitary figure sits alone on a bench in a dimly lit, urban bus station, the warm light and deep shadows creating a contemplative, cinematic mood that reflects the emotional toll of the immigration detention experience.The isolation and uncertainty of the immigration detention system weigh heavily on those caught in its grip.Normal Today

A former international student from Bangladesh told Newsweek he self-deported from the United States after months in immigration detention that he described as "inhumane." Joytu Chowdhury, a 24-year-old former student at Illinois Wesleyan University, said he self-deported on February 26 after what he described as a prolonged and emotionally taxing immigration process.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges and hardships faced by some international students navigating the U.S. immigration system, including allegations of poor detention conditions and a lack of adequate medical and mental health support. It also raises questions about the deportation process and whether it adequately considers the personal and professional impacts on individuals.

The details

Chowdhury entered the U.S. on an F-1 student visa in December 2021 and said he was pursuing a path toward completing his studies and continuing legal immigration processes. However, in August 2025, his student visa status was terminated due to transferring between schools, which led to a temporary lapse in maintaining his SEVIS record. Chowdhury was then arrested by ICE agents in December 2025 and transferred through a series of detention facilities across multiple states. He described the conditions as "extremely difficult" and "inhumane," alleging inconsistent access to basic necessities, poor medical care, and a lack of privacy and mental health support. Chowdhury said the conditions took a significant toll on him mentally and emotionally, leading him to ultimately choose to self-deport in February 2026.

  • Chowdhury entered the U.S. on an F-1 student visa in December 2021.
  • In August 2025, Chowdhury's student visa status was terminated.
  • Chowdhury was arrested by ICE agents on December 3, 2025.
  • Chowdhury self-deported on February 26, 2026.

The players

Joytu Chowdhury

A 24-year-old former international student from Bangladesh who was majoring in finance with a minor in computer science at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Ashley Yamilet

Chowdhury's 24-year-old wife, who is a student and server in the United States.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement, including ICE.

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What they’re saying

“I gave up and chose to self-deport, not because I wanted to but because I felt like I had no other choice left.”

— Joytu Chowdhury

“This experience with ICE took so much away from me: my family, my sense of stability and the life I had worked so hard to build. It felt like my entire life was put on pause.”

— Ashley Yamilet, Chowdhury's wife

“ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons. It is a long-standing practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This is the best health care that many aliens have received in their entire lives.”

— DHS spokesperson

What’s next

Chowdhury continues to hope to return to the United States through proper legal channels, and his family is raising money for legal expenses on GoFundMe.

The takeaway

This case highlights the human impact of the U.S. immigration system, with Chowdhury's story illustrating the emotional and mental toll that detention can take on international students and their families. It underscores the need for greater transparency, accountability, and humane treatment within the immigration enforcement process.