Weekly Digest: Uzbeks deported from the US, beaten in Russia, imprisoned in Ukraine

While Uzbekistan is once again discussing the restriction of weddings, 9,063 families divorced in the country in the first three months of this year. That’s 824 more divorces compared to the same period last year. During this time, divorce applications from 6,010 families were rejected, and the applications of 1,481 families were not considered. In general, the number of divorces in Uzbekistan is increasing every year. For example, in 2023 alone, 32,217 families officially ended their marriages. What is the reason for this? Emotional instability and impatience? Or are there deeper social problems? Share your opinion in the comments, and now let’s move on to the next edition of the Weekly Analysis.

Illegal Uzbeks Deported from the US Returned to Tashkent

The United States is no longer a dreamland—it’s a mirage for many. This week, Uzbek citizens who were illegally residing and working in the United States were returned to Tashkent by a special charter flight. This was reported by Uzbek authorities.

According to official information, Uzbekistan is actively strengthening cooperation with the United States in migration policy and repatriation. As part of bilateral agreements, a special charter flight from New York to Tashkent was organized, bringing back Uzbek citizens who had been illegally residing in the United States.

According to authorities, these actions were taken in close cooperation with the consular and migration services of both countries. All measures were implemented with full respect for the rights of the returned citizens and in strict accordance with the laws of Uzbekistan and the United States.

"This is part of Uzbekistan's broader policy to regulate migration flows, ensure the legal protection and integration of its citizens abroad, and provide for their safe and humane return," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahror Burhonov.

The US Department of Homeland Security called the deportation "historic" and thanked Tashkent. Citizens of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were also included in this operation and were returned via Uzbekistan. All the costs for returning Uzbek citizens were fully covered by Uzbekistan. This marks the first time a deportation flight was financed by a foreign government since President Donald Trump assumed office.

“We are very pleased that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a plane to repatriate his citizens. We look forward to continued cooperation to strengthen security and uphold the rule of law,” said US Secretary of Homeland Security Christie Noem.

These efforts reflect the Trump administration's tough stance on immigration and its efforts to restore the immigration system. Illegal immigrants must be returned to their countries of origin.

Uzbekistan ranks among the top three countries in terms of winning Green Cards in the US. More than 5,000 Uzbeks are granted this opportunity annually. At the same time, the country also ranks among the leaders in illegal migration to the US. Particularly, illegal entry through Mexico is on the rise.

As part of his campaign promises, President Trump plans to deport up to 1 million immigrants in the first half of this year. By the end of March 2025, more than 100,000 immigrants had already been deported. The previous record was over 400,000 deportations in a single year during President Barack Obama’s term.

Earlier this month, US Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick called on Uzbeks living illegally in the US to return voluntarily. Otherwise, he warned, they could face prison and forced deportation.

Henick also stated that US-Uzbekistan relations are currently at an unprecedented level. President Mirziyoyev has sent letters inviting President Trump to visit Uzbekistan.

In early April, Uzbek Special Representative for Foreign Policy Abdulaziz Kamilov led a delegation to the United States. During this visit, meetings were held with various officials from the Trump administration. Kamilov met with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and other officials.

Deputy Secretary Landau emphasized Uzbekistan’s role as a strategic partner and praised the country’s commitment to bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy, key minerals, and business. He also welcomed efforts to combat illegal migration and terrorism.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz. Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov, who was part of the delegation, signed a number of cooperation agreements with major American companies.

Last week, for the first time, Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President and daughter of the President, attended a US Independence Day reception held at the US Embassy in Tashkent.

During a government meeting at the White House last week, US Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer stated that $250 million had been saved from foreign aid reductions, including assistance that was previously directed toward ensuring transparency in Uzbekistan’s cotton sector. Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reportedly laughed at the idea of spending US taxpayer dollars on Uzbek cotton transparency, calling it a "comedy show."

US Tariffs Will Also Impact Uzbekistan

Let’s stay on the topic of the United States for a moment. This week, the US Senate passed a bill imposing 500% import tariffs on countries that purchase oil, gas, uranium, and other resources from Russia. Since Uzbekistan also conducts trade with Russia, the bill will affect it as well.

The bill, supported by 72 senators, is now awaiting approval by the House of Representatives and the President’s signature. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that this round of sanctions is designed to force Russia to begin peace negotiations with Ukraine.

On April 2, President Trump imposed tariffs on 185 countries, ranging from 10% to 50%. Uzbekistan was included in that list.

After China announced retaliatory tariffs, the US increased tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%. In response, China imposed 125% tariffs on US goods. Last week, Trump said that the tariffs on China would be reduced.

Later, the US media reported that Trump plans to negotiate tariffs with 70 countries. This is aimed at pressuring them to sever trade ties with China.

In this context, Uzbekistan, which purchases gas from Russia via Kazakhstan, could be particularly impacted. During a visit to Uzbekistan in April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow plans to double its gas exports to Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov announced that in 2024, Kazakhstan will triple the volume of Russian gas transiting through the country to Uzbekistan. In 2025, this volume is expected to increase by an additional 30%.

Other countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and even China, also import Russian gas.

Europe continues to receive Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline, after transit via Ukraine was halted on January 1, 2025.

Russia’s gas exports through TurkStream increased by 22.3% in 2024, reaching 16.7 billion cubic meters. Gas exports through Ukraine increased by 5.1%. Additionally, Russia exported a record 33.6 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2024, which is 4% more than in 2023.

Uzbekistan Signs Water Use Agreement with Taliban

Uzbekistan has signed an agreement with the Taliban government of Afghanistan on the use of Amu Darya river water. The agreement was signed on April 30 during the visit of Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Jamshid Abduzukhurov, to Afghanistan.

During the visit, the deputy minister met with the Taliban's Ministry of Agriculture and Water and Energy, as well as the Governor of Balkh Province, Haji Muhammad Yusuf Vafo. They discussed issues related to trade, export procedures, plant quarantine, and water use.

According to the Uzbek Ministry of Agriculture, the agreement aims to ensure the fair use of water and to jointly manage the Amu Darya basin. It outlines future actions to promote sustainable water management and environmental responsibility in Central Asia. The ministry stated that this agreement is a step toward regional peace and sustainable development.

In March of this year, Uzbekistan also signed a similar agreement with Turkmenistan to prevent water loss in the Amu Darya basin.

Meanwhile, construction of the controversial Qoshtepa Canal in Afghanistan continues. This canal poses a serious threat to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as it is expected to reduce the Amu Darya’s flow by 50%.

The canal, which is 280 kilometers long, is being funded by Afghanistan. Initially, the United States was expected to finance the project, but after Trump came to power, that funding was frozen.

On top of this, the Rogun Hydropower Plant being built by Tajikistan is expected to complicate water distribution even further. Once completed, filling the reservoir will take 15 years. The World Bank estimates that this will reduce the Amu Darya’s flow to the Aral Sea by 0.8 to 1.2 cubic kilometers per year—approximately 25% of current flow.

Experts warn that this will severely affect agriculture. Uzbekistan is projected to lose 7 billion cubic meters of water by 2030. If the situation does not improve, the country may lose up to 250,000 agricultural jobs by 2050.

Two Students Commit Suicide in Bukhara

Two students from Bukhara State Technical University committed suicide within one week. The first incident occurred on April 27, when a student born in 2005 and originally from the Navoi region hanged himself in a dormitory. He left a note apologizing to his parents.

On April 28, another student born in 2005 hanged himself from the gymnasium roof of the university’s academic lyceum. This student had previously posted videos hinting at suicide on Instagram.

The Bukhara city prosecutor’s office is investigating both incidents.

Meanwhile, crime among students is on the rise. In the first three months of 2025, students committed 460 crimes in Tashkent alone. This is nearly 40% more than in the same period last year. The crimes include murder, assault, drug use, and theft.

E-Cigarettes Completely Banned in Uzbekistan

The Senate has approved a law banning e-cigarettes and related nicotine products. The law amends both the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Responsibility, introducing penalties for the production, sale, or use of these products. However, individuals who voluntarily report and surrender such products will be exempt from liability.

Authorities say the law aims to protect public health and the environment. Similar bans have already been implemented in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

1,110 Uzbeks May Be Fighting in Ukraine

The “Khochu Zhit” (“I Want to Live”) project has published a list of 1,110 Uzbek citizens who have signed contracts to serve in the Russian Armed Forces and are fighting in Ukraine. According to the project, at least 109 of them have died.

Project officials claim that the Kremlin is pressuring Uzbek migrants to serve in the army by threatening them with deportation and other consequences.

Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry has begun verifying the list.

In another case, a citizen of Uzbekistan has been sentenced to life in prison in Ukraine. Between 2018 and 2024, he murdered 11 people—mostly homeless individuals. The man confessed to all the murders, including stabbing a flower seller to death in a Kyiv underpass.

Migrants Beaten in Moscow Café Raids

Law enforcement officers in Moscow have reportedly raided a café three times in the past month. The café, popular among Central Asian migrants including Uzbeks, was the scene of beatings and detentions. Video footage posted on social media shows people being beaten.

One of the waiters suffered rib and neck injuries and is currently unable to work. During the first two raids, officers reportedly used electric shock devices.