Not less than 5,144 Nigerians are at risk of deportation as the United States intensifies its crackdown on undocumented immigrants under President Donald Trump’s administration. Data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shows that 3,690 Nigerians are currently on a non-detained deportation list, while 1,454 are in detention awaiting deportation.
ICE records indicate that of those detained, 772 Nigerians have either been convicted of crimes or are awaiting trial for various charges. The remaining detainees are being held for immigration violations, such as overstaying visas. Since November 2024, at least 417 Nigerians have already been deported, with a total of 884 removed between 2019 and 2024.
This development comes as part of President Trump’s renewed efforts to remove illegal immigrants from the country. ICE has reportedly been directed to increase daily arrests and deportations, targeting between 1,200 and 1,500 individuals per day. Officials say nearly 3,000 individuals labeled as “criminal aliens” have been arrested in the initial phase of the operation.
A non-detained docket refers to individuals who have been ordered to leave the country but are not held in detention facilities. In most cases, ICE can deport these individuals once a final removal order has been issued by an immigration judge. However, some individuals may still seek legal relief, such as asylum or protection under international laws.
The Nigerian government has responded to the situation, stating that it is prepared to handle any mass deportation of its citizens. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) confirmed that the Federal Government has set up an inter-agency committee to address the matter if necessary.
Abdurahman Balogun, Director of Media and Corporate Affairs at NiDCOM, said, “The Federal Government has set up an inter-agency committee, comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, should there be mass deportation of Nigerians from the US.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. government maintains that every country must accept the return of its citizens who are no longer eligible to stay in the United States. However, ICE notes that deportations can sometimes be delayed due to a lack of cooperation from foreign governments.
Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman said, “Today’s action empowers law enforcement officials at the DOJ to help identify and apprehend aliens who have illegally come into our country.” He added that this move is a step toward fulfilling President Trump’s promise to ramp up deportations.
As deportation operations continue, concerns are growing among undocumented immigrants, including those without criminal records. While the focus has so far been on individuals with prior convictions, many fear that authorities will soon target others who have been ordered to leave but remain in the country.
