The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of its readiness to receive 3,690 citizens who may be deported from the United States amid President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A report from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) places Nigeria second among African nations with citizens facing deportation, following Somalia (4,090), while Ghana ranks third (3,228). The document, titled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,” highlights the growing impact of US immigration policies.
Over 1.4 Million Non-Citizens Ordered for Removal
According to ICE, over 1.4 million non-citizens have final removal orders, with Mexico and El Salvador leading the list. The crackdown follows Trump’s executive orders, including the termination of birthright citizenship for children of undocumented migrants.
Humanitarian Concerns Over Deportations
The policy shift has triggered concerns among advocacy groups, warning that deportations could deter immigrant families from accessing healthcare, education, and disaster relief. Religious leaders have also urged the US government to consider a more compassionate approach to immigration enforcement.
FG Sets Up Committee to Handle Returnees
In response, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed that the Federal Government has established an inter-agency committee to manage any large-scale deportation. The committee includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, NiDCOM, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Despite the preparations, NiDCOM’s Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that no formal notification has been received regarding the deportation of Nigerians.
With deportations already in progress, thousands of affected Nigerians remain in limbo, hoping for a resolution that safeguards their rights and dignity.
