The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to receive thousands of Nigerians facing deportation from the United States (US) as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown.
According to reports, at least 5,144 Nigerians are expected to be affected in the initial phase of the deportation exercise.
These individuals include those in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) system, with final orders of removal, as well as others already in ICE detention.
Data from ICE indicates that 772 out of 1,454 Nigerians currently in custody were detained for criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, while the rest were arrested for immigration violations such as visa overstays.
The report also shows that 417 Nigerians were deported as of November 2024, and 884 were removed between 2019 and 2024.
The deportations come as the Trump administration enforces stricter immigration policies, targeting undocumented immigrants across the US.
However, concerns have emerged over the treatment of deportees from various countries, with allegations of degrading conditions during repatriation.
At least three countries, Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil have raised objections to the manner in which their citizens were deported from the US.
Colombian authorities condemned the use of military planes and the practice of handcuffing deportees, arguing that such measures criminalize individuals unnecessarily.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro strongly criticized the process, stating, “We are the opposite of the Nazis.”
He further offered to facilitate the dignified return of Colombian nationals via civilian planes, including his presidential aircraft.
Initially, Colombia refused to accept deportation flights on military aircraft, prompting threats from Trump, who warned of possible tariffs and sanctions.
However, following negotiations, Colombia agreed to take back its deported citizens, avoiding US penalties.
Meanwhile, Mexico also denied a request to allow a US military aircraft carrying migrants to land on its soil, further complicating deportation logistics.
Brazil’s foreign ministry also denounced the treatment of its deported nationals after reports emerged that migrants were handcuffed on a commercial deportation flight.
Upon arrival, Brazilian officials intervened, ordering the removal of restraints and arranging a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) flight to transport the deportees to their final destination.
In response to the deportation plans, the Nigerian government has assured that it is prepared to handle the return of its citizens.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri, reaffirmed that an inter-agency committee has been set up to manage the situation.
“The Federal Government has set up an inter-agency committee, comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), should there be mass deportation of Nigerians from the US,” she stated.
Meanwhile, former Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Ambassador Joe Keshi, argued that the deportations would have minimal economic impact on Nigeria but could negatively affect families who rely on remittances from relatives abroad.
“There’s no way it can affect our economy. If the Federal Government improves the economy, people will stay; it’s just the family they have been sending money to that would suffer because they won’t have money as they used to have before. Unless they find another means of survival,” Keshi noted.
