As part of its intensified crackdown on illegal immigration, the United States government has listed 3,690 Nigerians for deportation. This development comes as former President Donald Trump, now serving his second term, enforces stricter immigration policies.
A document from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), obtained by Punch on Tuesday, reveals the breakdown of non-citizens facing deportation by nationality. According to the report, as of November 24, 2024, ICE’s non-detained docket includes 1,445,549 individuals with final removal orders.
Mexico and El Salvador top the list of affected nations, with 252,044 and 203,822 individuals, respectively. The ICE, responsible for enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding national security, has ramped up efforts to remove undocumented immigrants.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Intensifies
Last Thursday, U.S. authorities arrested hundreds of migrants, while others were deported on military flights, marking the beginning of Trump’s large-scale deportation operation. The former president had vowed to take a tough stance on illegal immigration upon his return to office.
One of Trump’s first executive orders after his inauguration as the 47th U.S. president included ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. He also declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and authorized the deployment of additional troops to curb illegal crossings.
Tensions with Colombia Over Deportation Flights
Trump’s immigration policies have sparked international tensions, particularly with Colombia. President Gustavo Petro initially blocked U.S. military planes carrying deported migrants, citing concerns over their treatment. However, following a heated exchange between the two leaders, Petro ultimately agreed to allow deportation flights.
In response to Petro’s initial resistance, Trump announced severe economic measures against Colombia, including a 25% tariff on Colombian imports, with the threat of increasing it to 50% within a week. Additional sanctions targeted Colombian officials and financial institutions.
After negotiations, Colombia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the impasse had been resolved and that deportation flights would resume under “dignified conditions.” The White House later stated that while some sanctions would remain in place, others would be suspended as a sign of diplomatic progress.
Nigeria Prepares for Possible Deportations
Amid the growing crackdown, the Nigerian government has assured its readiness to receive citizens deported from the U.S. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, spokesperson for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), confirmed that the Federal Government has set up an inter-agency committee to manage the situation.
“The committee includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA),” Balogun said in an interview with Vanguard on Tuesday.
However, he clarified that NiDCOM has not received official confirmation of mass deportations of Nigerians from the U.S. Despite this, the Nigerian government remains on standby as Trump’s immigration enforcement measures continue.
