The United States has initiated deportation proceedings for Nigerian nationals, with 85 individuals set to arrive in Lagos while 116 others remain in detention across various U.S. immigration centers.
Expressing concern over the process, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has urged U.S. authorities to adopt a more humane approach to deportations.
In a statement issued on Sunday through her media aide, Magnus Eze, Odumegwu-Ojukwu confirmed that 201 Nigerians are currently in U.S. immigration detention, with 85 already cleared for repatriation. She emphasized the Federal Government’s call for adherence to internationally recognized deportation protocols.
Reiterating the government’s stance, she also took to her official X account on Monday, posting under the title “US Deportations Begin.”
The U.S. government has confirmed that all deported Nigerians will be flown directly to Lagos, with no alternative destinations such as Abuja or Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the matter, U.S. immigration official Mark Mills stated that convicted prisoners and those who violated U.S. immigration laws would be among the first group of deportees.
“Those to be repatriated would be dropped in Lagos. There would not be room for whether it should be in Port Harcourt or Abuja,” Mills confirmed.
“The first group will be convicted prisoners—those who committed crimes and are in U.S. prisons. Some of them clearly violated immigration laws. They appealed but were denied, yet they remain in the U.S. They have committed immigration offenses and have been ordered to leave.”
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu has raised concerns over the emotional and financial toll of deportation on affected Nigerians and their families, particularly those who have not committed violent crimes.
“With the new U.S. administration, we want clear commitments. If there will be repatriation, we demand a dignified return,” she stated.
She also questioned whether deportees would be given sufficient time to handle their affairs before being repatriated, noting that many Nigerians in the U.S. support families back home, including paying school fees for their children.
“Will they be given ample time to manage their assets, or will they simply be bundled onto planes and repatriated? This is a major concern, not just for Nigerian nationals in the U.S. but also for their families in Nigeria who depend on them for survival.”
The deportation wave comes as part of Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies following his return to office as the 47th President of the United States.
On his first day back in the White House, Trump signed several executive orders tightening immigration laws, including:
- Ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
- Declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Deploying additional troops to the southern border.
- Reaffirming his pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
These policies have sparked widespread concern among immigrant communities, with many fearing increased deportations and stricter immigration enforcement in the coming months.
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