3,690 US-Based Nigerians May Face Deportation As Trump Goes On With His Agenda

Nigerian undocumented immigrants in the United States are taking measures to conceal themselves and limit their movements to evade arrest and deportation under the administration of President Donald Trump.
A report from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicates that approximately 3,690 Nigerians in the US 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,’ reveals that Mexico and El Salvador have the highest deportation figures, with 252,044 and 203,822 individuals, respectively.
As of November 24, 2024, there were 1,445,549 non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders. This situation arises as the Trump administration implemented strict anti-illegal immigration policies following his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
In line with Trump’s aggressive approach, the US Justice Department has warned local and state authorities of potential prosecution for non-compliance with immigration laws. As a result, 538 undocumented immigrants were deported from the US on January 23.
Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced via her official X account that the largest deportation operation in history is currently in progress.
A Nigerian resident in Florida, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that many undocumented immigrants have been living in fear since Trump took office. He expressed concerns that African immigrants might be targeted next, noting that many Nigerians have ceased working to avoid encounters with ICE agents.
“We have stopped going out, no more work or church. The situation is dire as we live in fear. However, we believe it is still better than the hardships and insecurity in Nigeria,” he said in an interview on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian federal government has reported that 201 Nigerians are currently detained by US authorities and are set for deportation. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they have not received any information regarding the timing of these deportations.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, the acting spokesperson for the ministry, emphasized that diplomatic protocol requires the US to officially notify the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, before any deportations can occur. “The total number of 201 Nigerians is currently in their custody for deportation, but the date and time for deportation have not been communicated. They cannot be deported to Nigeria without prior communication with the embassy in Washington, DC,” the official stated.