Despite President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants, many Nigerians remain undeterred in their pursuit of American visas, investigations have revealed.
The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to deport illegal immigrants, with thousands already sent back to their home countries. According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), 3,690 Nigerians are currently listed for deportation, while Somalia tops the list among African countries with 4,090 undocumented immigrants.
A report by NBC News on Friday indicated that immigration agents are under increased pressure to boost arrests and deportations. Sources claim that Trump has expressed frustration over the relatively low number of deportations in the early weeks of his administration.
Nigerians Still Seeking U.S. Visas
A visit to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos over the past week showed no significant decline in visa applications. Applicants continued to stream in for their interviews, with many stating they had booked their appointments before Trump’s second-term inauguration on January 20.
One successful visa applicant in Lagos dismissed concerns over Trump’s deportation policy, saying, “If America likes, they can send all immigrants packing. I have genuine documents and money to stay in the U.S. If they send me back, I still have my job.”
Similarly, Adeola, a student traveling for a postgraduate program, explained his preference for studying in the U.S., citing better educational opportunities and a faster academic timeline compared to Nigerian universities.
A couple interviewed at the Lagos consulate said they were traveling to visit their children in the U.S. and had no fears about deportation. However, some applicants in Abuja noted a decline in visa processing speed, with reports of rescheduled interview dates and challenges accessing the visa drop box system.
Trump’s Aggressive Immigration Policies
Since returning to office, Trump has intensified immigration enforcement, requiring ICE to arrest at least 1,800 undocumented immigrants daily, with a target of 75 arrests per office.
Raids have been conducted in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and Boston, with the White House reportedly pushing for even higher deportation figures. Trump has also declared a nationwide state of emergency over illegal immigration, halted child birthright citizenship, and expanded powers for law enforcement to detain and deport noncitizens deemed threats to national security.
Growing Fear Among Immigrants
The escalating deportation drive has left many undocumented Nigerians in the U.S. living in fear. Some have gone into hiding, while others are avoiding work to evade immigration authorities. This situation has reportedly caused a spike in grocery prices due to labor shortages in industries reliant on immigrant workers.
As of November 24, 2024, U.S. authorities reported that 1.45 million non-citizens were on ICE’s deportation list. A 2024 Migration Policy Institute (MPI) report estimated that nearly 46.2 million immigrants currently reside in the U.S., with Mexicans making up the largest unauthorized immigrant group (4.81 million). Other major immigrant populations include people from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, the Philippines, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, India, and China.
Nigerians in the U.S.
According to 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data, the Nigerian population in the U.S. stood at 604,077. Those facing deportation may be held in ICE detention centers before appearing before an immigration judge or being removed from the country.
Despite the risks, many Nigerians continue to seek opportunities in the U.S., believing that legal entry and proper documentation will shield them from Trump’s immigration policies.
