The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified 3,690 Nigerians for deportation as part of its intensified efforts to remove illegal immigrants under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Nigeria ranks second among African nations on the deportation list, just behind Somalia, which has 4,090 individuals flagged for removal.
A document from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), obtained by Fox News, revealed that a total of 1,445,549 non-citizens with final removal orders are on ICE’s non-detained docket as of November 24, 2024. Globally, Mexico has the highest number of individuals slated for deportation, with 252,044.
The U.S. government has called on Nigeria and other nations to cooperate in facilitating the return of their nationals. According to the document, lack of cooperation from foreign governments can delay or even hinder the deportation process.
“The U.S. Government requests foreign governments take appropriate steps to confirm the citizenship of non-citizens suspected to be their nationals, which includes conducting interviews, issuing travel documents promptly, and accepting their physical return via scheduled commercial or charter flights,” the document stated.
President Trump, who prioritized immigration control during his campaign, has signed several executive orders since assuming office for a second term. These include declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and deploying troops to enhance border security.
Despite reports that over three million Nigerians might be deported, CableCheck, the fact-checking arm of TheCable, debunked these claims, confirming them as false.
As the U.S. enforces stricter immigration policies, Nigeria remains a key focus in the ongoing deportation efforts, with the government expected to assist in expediting the process.
