Nigerians in the US Fret Over Possible Deportation Amid Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Nigerians living illegally in the United States are gripped with fear following President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders tightening immigration policies. On his first day in office as the 47th President, Trump signed a series of directives, including ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border.

The US Justice Department has warned that state and local authorities failing to enforce these directives will face prosecution, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun large-scale deportation operations. Trump’s Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced on X that the administration is executing “the largest mass deportation operation in history.” On Thursday alone, 538 undocumented immigrants were deported.

The Nigerian community in the US is increasingly anxious about what may come next. Some fear that after targeting Mexicans, Haitians, and Indians, the government will shift its focus to Nigerians and other Africans. Nigerian-American Trump supporter Jacob Adegoke noted that while Mexicans and Haitians are the primary targets, “The next will be Africans.” Nigerian media entrepreneur Obi-West Utchaychukwu added that although no Nigerians have been reported arrested yet, many are closely watching developments.

Reports indicate that many Nigerians are now limiting their movements due to concerns about ICE raids. A source in New York, identifying himself as Adebayo for security reasons, described the growing unease: “Many undocumented Nigerians are worried about the new policies. My neighbor even called me yesterday, warning me to be careful going out. There are reports of even people with valid papers being targeted by ICE.”

ICE agents have already begun conducting raids across the country. In Newark, New Jersey, officials raided a business on Wednesday, detaining multiple undocumented residents, including an American military veteran. A Nigerian immigration lawyer in Maryland confirmed similar incidents, adding that people on student visas and other temporary statuses are also at risk. “More Nigerians fall into that category. Those with student visas hoping to transition into a more stable status are deeply concerned.”

The Nigerian community remains on high alert, with many uncertain about what the coming weeks may bring as Trump’s administration pushes forward with its aggressive immigration enforcement.