Nigerians residing in Texas have voiced concerns over the behavior of immigration officials during a recent passport renewal exercise in Dallas.
The exercise, which ran from September 11 to Sunday, has been overshadowed by accusations of extortion, with citizens reportedly forced to pay an additional $150 in cash for “logistics fees” on top of the official passport fee.
Speaking to New Telegraph, Mr. Tunde Johnson expressed outrage over the situation, questioning the validity of the extra charge.
“After paying the standard passport fee, we were asked to pay $150 in cash, supposedly for logistics. When we sought clarification, the officials offered no clear explanation, merely stating they had traveled from Atlanta to assist us,” he said.
The immigration team responsible for the exercise was sent from the Nigerian Embassy in Atlanta, Georgia, one of only three Nigerian consulates in the U.S., alongside Washington, D.C., and New York.
Officials claimed that the large Nigerian population in Texas justified the temporary setup in Dallas, presenting it as a favor to save residents the trouble of traveling to Atlanta for passport services.
However, many participants were unconvinced. “They told us we should be thankful for not having to spend money on flights and hotels to Atlanta. But why should we pay extra?” one individual asked.
A frustrated Nigerian added, “These officials are paid by the government, and all costs should be covered by the federal government, not us citizens, who are already facing financial struggles.”
Reports indicate that many Nigerians, unable to afford the extra $150 fee, pleaded with the officials for leniency but were refused. Those impacted are now urging the Nigerian government to investigate the matter and stop this exploitative practice.
Additionally, calls are growing for the establishment of a Nigerian embassy or consulate in Texas to better serve the state’s large Nigerian population and prevent future occurrences.
“This situation reflects a growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians abroad, who feel neglected and unfairly burdened by services that should be assisting them,” one affected person remarked.
