About 3,690 Nigerians in the United States are facing deportation as former President Donald Trump intensifies his crackdown on illegal immigration. The data was revealed in a document compiled by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), specifically through its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division. The document, titled "Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship," was made public on Tuesday and reveals the number of Nigerians at risk.
As of November 24, 2024, there were 1,445,549 non-citizens in the US with final removal orders on ICE’s non-detained docket. Mexico and El Salvador lead the list with the highest deportation figures, accounting for 252,044 and 203,822 individuals respectively.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is tasked with protecting the country from cross-border crime and illegal immigration, which are seen as threats to national security. As part of Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, hundreds of migrants were arrested last week, and several others were deported on military flights.
Nigerians, alongside other African immigrants, are expected to be part of the next wave of deportations under Trump’s renewed policies. This follows the president’s long-standing anti-illegal immigration stance, which gained momentum after he assumed office. Trump has signed multiple executive orders aimed at curbing illegal immigration, including halting citizenship by birth for children born to illegal immigrants. He has also declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, deploying more troops to prevent illegal crossings, while targeting “criminal aliens” for deportation.
A recent controversial incident saw President Gustavo Petro of Colombia reverse his earlier decision to block US military planes from transporting deportees back to Colombia. This decision followed tense negotiations between the US and Colombia, with Petro initially refusing to cooperate due to the inhumane conditions in which deportees were treated. The impasse was resolved after the White House announced that sanctions on Colombia would be held in reserve, and Colombia would accept all deportation flights under agreed conditions.
In response to the escalating deportations, fear has gripped many Nigerians living illegally in the US. With the Trump administration stepping up enforcement actions, many are bracing for the possibility of deportation. The upcoming mass deportation campaign is a significant cause for concern for these individuals, as many may be forced to return to Nigeria after years of living abroad.
The situation is still developing, and it remains to be seen how many Nigerians will be directly affected by the mass deportation initiative.
