The Nigerian government is bracing for the return of over 5,100 citizens deported from the United States as part of President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown.
The operation, aimed at removing undocumented immigrants, has resulted in a significant number of Nigerians being included in the deportation efforts.
According to reports from the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), 3,690 Nigerians have received final orders of removal, while 1,454 are currently detained.
Among the detained individuals, 772 were apprehended due to criminal convictions or pending charges, while the rest were held for immigration violations such as overstaying visas.
The mass deportations are part of Trump’s wider immigration policy, which has already led to nearly 3,000 arrests of individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Though initially focused on those with criminal records, the operation is expected to expand to other individuals with final removal orders.
In response to the potential wave of returnees, the Nigerian 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.
Although NiDCOM has not yet been officially notified of any ongoing deportations, but they are ready to assist those affected.
Between 2019 and 2024, 884 Nigerians were deported from the U.S., with 417 deportations occurring in 2024 alone.
With U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increasing its daily arrest and removal operations, the number of Nigerians impacted is expected to rise significantly.
To support the crackdown, various U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, have been mobilized to assist in identifying and apprehending undocumented immigrants.
As thousands of Nigerians prepare to return, concerns about the challenges of reintegration, including access to housing, employment, and social services, have emerged.
However, the Nigerian government and diaspora organizations are actively monitoring the situation to ensure proper support for the affected individuals.
