The Federal Government has assured that it is prepared to receive Nigerians affected by the ongoing deportation exercise in the United States, as President Donald Trump intensifies his crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
Reports indicate that approximately 5,144 Nigerians are set to be deported in the initial phase of the U.S. enforcement actions.
These individuals include non-U.S. citizens of Nigerian descent listed under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), either with final orders of removal or already in detention.
According to official data, 772 of the 1,454 Nigerians currently held in ICE custody were arrested for criminal convictions or pending charges, while others were detained for immigration violations such as overstaying visas.
Further reports show that 417 Nigerians were deported as of November 2024, with a total of 884 removals recorded between 2019 and 2024.
The Trump administration has been implementing stringent immigration policies to curb illegal migration, prompting concerns from various countries about the treatment of deportees.
Nations such as Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil have criticized the U.S. for allegedly subjecting their citizens to degrading deportation processes.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the practice of deporting individuals in handcuffs aboard military aircraft, vowing never to reciprocate such treatment toward Americans.
Although initially resisting U.S. deportation flights, Colombia later agreed to accept deported migrants after Washington threatened economic sanctions.
Similarly, Brazil’s foreign ministry criticized what it described as the “degrading treatment” of its nationals.
Reports indicate that some Brazilian deportees were handcuffed throughout their flight, leading President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to order the removal of restraints and arrange an alternative transport for their return.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, authorities are preparing for a potential influx of deportees. The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri, confirmed that an inter-agency committee has been established 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).
A former Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S., Ambassador Joe Keshi, weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that economic improvements in Nigeria would significantly reduce the trend of emigration, popularly known as the “Japa” syndrome.
He noted that while deportation may not have a direct impact on the Nigerian economy, families dependent on remittances from relatives abroad might face financial difficulties.
The Nigerian government continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that returning citizens receive the necessary support upon arrival.
