The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified 3,690 Nigerians for deportation as part of a wider crackdown on illegal immigration under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Nigeria ranks second among African nations facing mass removals in the United States while Somalia came first with 4,090 individuals already flagged for deportation.
A document from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) revealed that 1,445,549 non-citizens with final removal orders are currently on ICE’s non-detained docket as of November 24, 2024.
On a global scale, Mexico tops the deportation list with 252,044 individuals set for removal.
The U.S. government has urged Nigeria and other affected countries to cooperate in facilitating the return of their nationals.
“The U.S. Government requests foreign governments take appropriate steps to confirm the citizenship of non-citizens suspected to be their nationals, which includes conducting interviews, issuing travel documents promptly, and accepting their physical return via scheduled commercial or charter flights,” the document stated.
After being sworn in on January 20, President Trump immediately intensified his illegal immigration evacuation plans by signing multiple executive orders.
His administration has declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and deployed additional military personnel to strengthen border security.
With Nigeria identified as a key focus in the U.S. immigration agenda, authorities in Abuja are expected to engage in discussions on expediting the repatriation process.
The situation has reignited debates over the impact of strict U.S. immigration policies and the need for African nations to strengthen diplomatic negotiations to safeguard their citizens abroad.