Thousands of Nigerians in the United States are at risk of deportation as former President Donald Trump intensifies his crackdown on illegal immigration.
According to The PUNCH, a document from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, approximately 3,690 Nigerians have been placed on the agency’s non-detained docket with final removal orders.
The document, titled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,” revealed that, as of November 24, 2024, a total of 1,445,549 non-citizens were awaiting deportation. Mexico and Nicaragua topped the list, with 252,044 and 45,955 individuals, respectively.
Trump, who was inaugurated as the 47th President of the U.S., has made immigration enforcement a key priority of his administration. Last week, federal authorities arrested hundreds of migrants, while others were deported via military aircraft.
In his first executive orders, Trump implemented strict immigration measures, including ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border.
He also ordered additional military personnel to be deployed to secure the border.
“America will no longer be a sanctuary for illegal immigrants,” Trump said in a statement. “We are taking bold action to remove those who violate our laws and threaten national security.”
The ongoing deportation drive has heightened anxiety among undocumented Nigerians and other African immigrants. Many fear they could be next in line for removal.
“The situation is really tense,” said an anonymous Nigerian living illegally in the U.S. “We are constantly looking over our shoulders, afraid of being picked up and sent back home.”
Meanwhile, a diplomatic standoff between Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro over deportation flights ended on Sunday after Colombia agreed to accept deportees.
Initially, Petro blocked U.S. military planes carrying deported migrants, citing concerns over human rights violations. In response, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Colombian imports and threatened to increase it to 50% within a week.
He also announced financial sanctions, visa restrictions, and a travel ban on Colombian officials.
“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again,” the White House said in a statement following Colombia’s reversal.
In a swift response, Colombia’s foreign ministry confirmed that an agreement had been reached.
“We have overcome the impasse with the United States government,” the statement read, adding that the country would now accept all deportation flights while ensuring “dignified conditions” for returnees.
The U.S. deportation policy continues to generate global reactions, with advocacy groups urging Trump’s administration to consider more humane immigration reforms.
