Nigerian illegal immigrants in the United States have revealed they are limiting their movements to public places to evade arrest and deportation.
Some expressed hope that ongoing lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies would offer them protection.
In interviews, a number of Nigerian immigrants shared that they have stopped going to work, church, and public spaces since Trump’s inauguration, in an effort to stay under the radar and avoid deportation.
Thousands of Nigerians at Risk
According to a report from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), around 3,690 Nigerians face deportation. The document, titled ‘Non-citizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,’ showed that Mexico and El Salvador had the highest numbers of deportations, while Nigeria followed with thousands at risk.
Trump’s administration has intensified immigration enforcement, with executive orders aimed at toughening policies, including the cancellation of birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. On January 23, the US government deported 538 illegal immigrants, and more deportations are expected.
Avoiding Public Spaces
A Nigerian immigrant in Tampa, Florida, explained he had stopped going to work out of fear of ICE raids, adding that the only safe place was his home. “I don’t go to church anymore because it is possible to be arrested there. The only safe place is your house,” he said. He also expressed hope that the ongoing lawsuits challenging Trump’s policies might reduce the deportation pressure.
Another Nigerian immigrant in Columbus, Ohio, shared similar concerns, noting that although Nigerians were not the primary target, anyone illegally in the US was at risk. “The best way to avoid deportation is to stay out of sight,” he said.
Many immigrants, though anxious, are reluctant to return to Nigeria, citing harsh conditions and insecurity. “Going back to Nigeria is not an option,” one immigrant said, emphasizing that life in the US, despite its challenges, is still better than in Nigeria.
Impact on Communities
A Nigerian journalist in the US highlighted the widespread anxiety among African immigrants, stating, “If they ask all of us to go back to our countries, we will have no choice but to leave. But Nigeria’s problems, from insecurity to bad leadership, make it difficult for many to return.”
In response to the growing concerns, Nigerian churches in the US are advising undocumented members to attend services online rather than risk going to church in person. Some Nigerian Uber drivers in New York also confirmed that many colleagues are staying home to avoid deportation risks.
The ongoing deportation efforts are more prominent in Republican-controlled states, where immigration policies are stricter. However, in other states, the fear remains widespread, with many Nigerians limiting their activities to avoid interaction with law enforcement.
