The U.S. government has placed 3,690 Nigerians on a final list for deportation as part of President Donald Trump's intensified efforts to enforce stricter immigration laws. This move is part of a broader initiative targeting the removal of over 1.4 million non-citizens who have exhausted their legal options to remain in the country.
According to a document from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the deportations follow final removal orders issued to these individuals, indicating they no longer have legal pathways to stay in the U.S. Nigeria is among the most affected nations, alongside Mexico and El Salvador, with significant deportation numbers. As of November 2024, the report reveals that deportations from Mexico and El Salvador stand at 252,044 and 203,822, respectively.
The crackdown has sparked concern within African migrant communities, particularly Nigerians, who have long been a part of the U.S. diaspora. Many are worried about the potential social and economic challenges those facing deportation will encounter upon returning to Nigeria. Immigration rights advocates have urged both U.S. and Nigerian authorities to ensure fair treatment and transparency in handling the deportation process.
President Trump has been a staunch advocate for stricter immigration enforcement, including military deployment at the southern border with Mexico. His administration has prioritized the removal of individuals deemed to be "criminal aliens" or those without legal status. As deportation efforts ramp up, uncertainty looms over the future of thousands of Nigerians and millions of other migrants caught in the crackdown.
