Thousands of Nigerians in the United States are facing imminent deportation as President Donald Trump intensifies his crackdown on illegal immigration.
A newly released document from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), obtained on Tuesday, January 28, 2024, reveals that 3,690 Nigerians are among the 1,445,549 non-citizens with final removal orders as of November 24, 2024. The data, compiled by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, categorizes individuals by nationality, with Mexico and Nicaragua leading the list at 252,044 and 45,955 deportation cases, respectively.
Upon taking office as the 47th President of the United States, Trump swiftly enacted executive orders aimed at tightening immigration laws and enhancing border security. Key policies include:
Ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants; declaring a national emergency at the Mexico-U.S. border and deploying additional military personnel; launching mass deportation operations, with hundreds of migrants already detained or flown out of the country on military aircraft.
With deportations already underway, Nigerians and other African immigrants residing in the U.S. without legal status could soon face removal.
Trump’s aggressive deportation stance has sparked diplomatic friction. Recently, Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially blocked two U.S. military flights carrying deportees, citing human rights concerns. However, after a heated standoff, Petro later agreed to accept the deportation flights, leading the White House to temporarily suspend sanctions against Colombia.
“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again,” the White House stated.
The crackdown has triggered widespread anxiety among undocumented Nigerians, with many fearing sudden arrests, detainment, and forced repatriation. Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups have vowed to challenge the mass deportations in court, arguing that the policy violates international human rights standards.
As Trump’s administration accelerates its hardline immigration agenda, thousands of Nigerians in the U.S. remain uncertain about their future.
