We Are Ready to Welcome Nigerians Facing Deportation from U.S., Says FG

The Nigerian government is fully prepared to assist and welcome any Nigerians who may be deported from the United States, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media and Corporate Affairs at NiDCOM, made this confirmation in a statement on Tuesday evening, reassuring that the government is ready for any eventuality.

Balogun explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in charge of coordinating the return of deported nationals, ensuring their safe reintegration into Nigerian society. The government has also formed an inter-agency committee made up of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). This committee is tasked with managing the logistics and preparations for the potential deportation of Nigerians from the U.S.

As of now, Balogun mentioned that NiDCOM has not received any official notice regarding the deportation of Nigerians currently residing in the U.S. However, fresh data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals that nearly 3,690 Nigerians are facing deportation under the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration. According to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), these deportations are part of a broader strategy targeting non-citizens who have received final removal orders.

The ICE report, dated November 24, 2024, shows that there are 1,445,549 non-citizens on the ICE non-detained docket, with 3,690 Nigerians included. Another 1,454 Nigerians are in ICE detention, awaiting deportation. The report also indicates that some Nigerians have been detained for criminal convictions or pending charges, while others are facing immigration violations such as overstaying visas.

In 2024, ICE has already removed 417 Nigerians from the U.S., with 884 Nigerians deported between 2019 and 2024. The mass deportation is part of President Trump’s ongoing efforts to enforce stricter immigration policies, targeting both criminal and non-criminal undocumented migrants. While initial arrests have focused on individuals with criminal records, there is growing concern that ICE may expand its focus to include those in the non-detained docket, who are not currently held in custody but could be deported at any time.