3690 Nigerians Face Deportation as Trump Administration Steps Up Immigration Enforcement
Nigerian immigrants in the United States are increasingly living in fear, resorting to hiding and limiting their movements to avoid arrest and deportation under President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies. According to a document from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations, approximately 3,690 Nigerians are now facing deportation from the U.S.
The document, titled “Non-citizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,” reveals that Mexico and El Salvador have the highest number of deportations, with 252,044 and 203,822 individuals at risk, respectively. As of November 24, 2024, the total number of non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders stood at 1,445,549.
This crackdown comes as the Trump administration has ramped up its anti-illegal immigration efforts since taking office on January 20, 2025. In line with his tough stance, the U.S. Justice Department has threatened to prosecute local and state authorities that fail to enforce immigration directives. As a result, 538 illegal immigrants were deported on January 23, 2025.
Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, later confirmed on her official X handle that the largest deportation operation in U.S. history was currently underway, signaling even more deportations to come.
In Florida, a Nigerian immigrant, who wished to remain anonymous, described the intense atmosphere of fear that has taken over African illegal immigrants, particularly Nigerians. “We’ve stopped going out, no work, no church—life is terrible right now. But, despite the fear, we believe the situation here is still better than the hardships and insecurity we face in Nigeria,” he said during an interview on Friday.
The Nigerian government, on its part, confirmed that 201 Nigerians are currently in U.S. custody and set for deportation. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it had not yet received official confirmation on the exact date or time of deportation. The ministry’s acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, explained that the U.S. must officially notify the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., before deportation can take place.
“The total number of 201 Nigerians is currently in their custody for deportation, but the date and time for deportation have not been communicated. And there is no way they will be deported without communication with the embassy in Washington, D.C.,” Ebienfa stated.
As tensions rise, both Nigerian immigrants and their home country await further developments in what appears to be a historic and sweeping immigration operation under President Trump’s leadership.
