Uncertainty as 3,690 Nigerians in the US Face Deportation Under Trump

Many Nigerian immigrants in the United States, particularly those without legal status, have resorted to hiding and limiting their movements to avoid being apprehended and deported under President Donald Trump’s administration.

A document from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations has revealed that approximately 3,690 Nigerians are at risk of deportation. The document, titled Non-citizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship, also shows that Mexico and El Salvador lead in deportation cases, with 252,044 and 203,822 individuals, respectively.

As of November 24, 2024, a total of 1,445,549 non-citizens were listed on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders. Trump’s administration has intensified immigration enforcement since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, leading to a crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

Additionally, the US Justice Department has warned state and local authorities that failure to comply with federal immigration policies could lead to legal consequences. This crackdown has already resulted in the deportation of 538 undocumented immigrants on January 23.

Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed via her official X account that the administration has launched the largest deportation operation in history.

A Nigerian immigrant in Florida, speaking anonymously, revealed that many undocumented Nigerians are now living in fear, worried they could be the next targets of the crackdown. He noted that some African immigrants, particularly Nigerians, have even stopped working and attending church to avoid being detained by ICE agents.

“We no longer go out, work, or even attend church. The situation is frightening, but we still prefer this uncertainty over the hardship and insecurity back home in Nigeria,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian federal government has confirmed that 201 Nigerians are currently in US custody awaiting deportation. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the exact date and time for their deportation have not yet been communicated.

The acting spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, emphasized that according to diplomatic protocols, US authorities are required to formally notify the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, before deporting any Nigerian citizens.

“The US authorities have 201 Nigerians in custody for deportation, but we have not been officially informed of when it will happen. They cannot be deported without prior communication with our embassy,” Ebienfa stated.