85 Nigerians Face Deportation From the U.S.

85 Nigerians Face Deportation Amid Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

A Fresh Wave of Deportations Hits Nigerians in the U.S.

The United States has begun deportation proceedings against Nigerian nationals, with 85 individuals set to arrive in Lagos while another 116 remain detained in immigration facilities.

The news has sparked concern, especially among Nigerians in the diaspora, as President Donald Trump intensifies his administration’s hardline stance on immigration. The Nigerian government, through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called for a more humane approach, emphasizing the emotional and financial strain this will place on deportees and their families back home.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that the Federal Government is closely monitoring the situation, advocating for fair treatment and adherence to internationally accepted deportation protocols.

Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Since assuming office as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump has wasted no time in enacting controversial immigration policies, filing immediate deportation to all illegal immigrants. Within days of his inauguration, he signed a series of executive orders aimed at restricting immigration, including measures to:

• End birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
• Declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Deploy additional troops to border regions.
• Accelerate the deportation of undocumented individuals.

For many Nigerians residing in the U.S., these policies have created an atmosphere of uncertainty. With increased immigration raids and detentions, the reality of deportation is now hitting closer to home.

Nigerians in U.S. Immigration Camps: Who’s Affected?

According to U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., the first batch of deportees includes individuals who have completed jail terms in U.S. prisons. While he confirmed that these individuals would be flown to Lagos, he did not disclose an exact date for their repatriation.

For the families of these deportees in Nigeria, many of them rely on financial supports from relatives in the U.S. to survive, fund their children’s education, and maintain their livelihoods. The sudden loss of this financial support could plunge many into economic hardship.

Nigeria Calls for a More Compassionate Approach

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu has urged the U.S. government to reconsider its approach, calling for measures to ease the transition for those affected. She emphasized the importance of:

• People who seek residential permits in the US to go through such processes legally.
• Allowing deportees sufficient time to organize their affairs.
• Ensuring due process is followed in all deportation cases.
• Reconsidering visa restrictions for Nigerians who have legitimate reasons for traveling to the U.S.

While the Trump administration remains firm on its stance, the growing backlash from human rights organizations and affected communities may pressure the U.S. to adopt a more considerate approach.