The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has listed 3,690 Nigerians for deportation as President Donald Trump intensifies his crackdown on illegal immigrants. This move comes as part of Trump’s broader immigration policy aimed at reducing undocumented migration and prioritizing the removal of individuals with final deportation orders.
According to a report compiled by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), as of November 2024, a total of 1,445,549 non-citizens are on ICE’s non-detained docket with final orders of removal. Nigeria is among the affected countries, with Mexico (252,044) and El Salvador (203,822) topping the list of nations with the most deportees.
In addition to the non-detained docket, ICE records show that 1,454 Nigerians are currently in detention awaiting deportation. Of this number, 772 were arrested for criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, while the rest were detained for other immigration violations, such as visa overstays and unauthorized entry.
Since his January 2025 inauguration, Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at restricting immigration. Key policies include: Ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, deploying additional troops to the Mexico-U.S. border to curb illegal crossings, prioritizing deportation of immigrants with criminal records and targeting overstayed visas, including many Nigerians who entered legally but remained beyond their permitted stay.
Last week, hundreds of undocumented immigrants were arrested, and many were deported on U.S. military aircraft. There are growing concerns that deportations will expand beyond criminals to include all undocumented migrants, including those with long-term U.S. residency.
The Nigerian Federal Government has not yet made an official statement on the looming deportations. However, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed the formation of an inter-agency committee to address potential mass removals. Many Nigerians affected by the policy are said to be living in fear, uncertain about their fate.
The Nigerian embassy in the U.S. has reportedly been engaging with ICE to provide legal aid and consular support to affected citizens. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to comment, human rights groups have warned that mass deportations could have severe economic and social consequences for those being sent back.
With deportations ramping up, undocumented Nigerians in the U.S. are urged to seek legal assistance and explore any available options for asylum, adjustment of status, or voluntary departure before enforcement intensifies. Immigration experts warn that the crackdown could continue indefinitely, with more Nigerians potentially added to the list.
As deportation flights continue, the Nigerian government faces increasing pressure to negotiate with U.S. authorities and ensure that returning citizens receive adequate support and reintegration assistance.
