The ongoing deportation efforts by the United States government, led by President Donald Trump, may impact at least 5,144 Nigerians in the initial phase.
This includes approximately 3,690 Nigerians identified in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) non-detained docket who have final orders of removal, alongside those currently held in ICE detention.
Despite attempts to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comments on this situation, there was no response at press time. However, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed that the Federal Government is prepared to address potential mass deportations.
Recent data from ICE indicates that as of November 2024, there are 1,445,549 non-citizens from various nationalities on the non-detained docket with final orders of removal. Among these, 3,690 are Nigerians.
Additionally, there are 1,454 Nigerians currently in detention awaiting deportation. Of these detainees, 772 were apprehended due to criminal convictions or pending charges, while others were detained for immigration violations such as visa overstays.
The urgency of these deportation measures has escalated under Trump's administration, which aims to enforce stricter immigration policies. The initial focus has been on individuals with criminal records; however, there are concerns that this could broaden to include other undocumented immigrants. The term "non-detained docket" refers to individuals who are not currently in custody but remain targets for potential deportation.
ICE has emphasized that it is bound by legal frameworks that govern the removal process. While it can act on final orders issued by immigration courts, various factors can impede the execution of these removals.
These include the possibility for non-citizens to seek relief from removal through asylum or other protective measures.
