Bangladeshi man accidentally crossed into U.S., now trapped between Canada and U.S. due to deportation impasse.

Mahin Shahriar, a Bangladeshi national living in Canada since 2019, says he accidentally entered the U.S. on May 12 after being guided by a friend via GPS to a rural border area, believing he was staying in Canada. He approached U.S. border officers, expecting to be returned to Canada, but was taken into ICE custody. ICE acknowledges he could face harm if deported to Bangladesh due to obstruction of justice charges linked to his family’s flight, but cannot deport him without travel documents and Canada has refused to accept him, citing policy against intervening in foreign immigration enforcement. Shahriar’s lawyer argues under the Safe Third Country Agreement that Canada should return him, given his family’s legal status and his 14-day entry window, and is seeking an urgent Federal Court hearing to compel Canada’s acceptance on humanitarian grounds. The case has severely impacted his mother, a recognized refugee, and sister, who face mental health and financial strain. Shahriar’s initial refugee claim was rejected due to a fraudulent immigration consultant.