No fewer than 201 Nigerians are awaiting deportation from the United States in line with President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Of this number, 85 have been cleared for immediate repatriation, with the first batch comprising convicted criminals currently serving jail terms in U.S. prisons.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., disclosed this during a meeting with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja. He confirmed that the deportees would be flown into Lagos but did not specify the date.
President Trump has intensified efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, with citizens of Colombia, Mexico, and India already affected. Nigerians are now among those slated for removal.
According to a statement from Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s media aide, Magnus Eze, the minister urged the U.S. government to ensure humane treatment of the deportees. She emphasized the need for compliance with international deportation conventions and called for measures to ease their transition, including allowing them time to settle their affairs before repatriation.
She also expressed concern over the economic impact on families in Nigeria who depend on remittances from relatives in the U.S., stressing that the deportation process should be handled with dignity.
“We are concerned about the fate of these individuals. Many have families and financial obligations in Nigeria. Will they have enough time to sort out their assets before deportation, or will they be forced out abruptly? The psychological and financial burden will be enormous,” she stated.
The minister urged the U.S. government to reconsider its approach to immigration enforcement, especially concerning Nigerians with no record of violent crimes.
