The United States authority is preparing to deport 3,690 Nigerian migrants living in the country unlawfully. These individuals are among the 1.4 million undocumented migrants who now have deportation orders in place, according to information released by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This move is part of the just-elected President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement to manage illegal migration and ensure compliance with immigration laws. US military aircraft are already transporting migrants to their home countries or other approved countries in what has been called the “largest deportation operation” in American history.
According to a document obtained by Fox News from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the immigrants have been on ICE’s non-detained docket with final orders of removal since November 24, 2024. Nigeria has the second-highest number in Africa with 3,690, after Somalia, which has 4,090 residents facing deportation. Over the years, many Nigerians have sought to immigrate to the United States in search of greater economic opportunities, higher education, or personal security.
Undocumented migrants are under fire from intense law enforcement.
While some successfully navigate the legal pathways to residency, others find their way into the nation illegally or have overstayed their visas, which leads to them being recognized as undocumented. The United States immigration laws have never appeared lax under successive administrations, but this recent move appears to be more intense, making it harder for undocumented migrants to remain in the country. The impending deportation has gained the international spotlight, with the public voicing opinions on how illegal migrants are treated and how mass deportations could affect the impacted people and their families.
Many of those facing deportation have lived in the US for years, some with families, businesses, or jobs, making their removal a deeply disruptive and painful process. Some migrants initially left Nigeria in quest of better chances in the United States due to political unrest, economic difficulties, or Security concerns. For many, the US represented a place of refuge and opportunity, and being forced to leave represents a major setback. The deportation, they contend, could expose them to renewed difficulties upon their return to Nigeria.
Nigeria prepares for deportees as the US enforces immigration laws.
From the US government’s perspective, immigration authorities believe that enforcing deportation orders is an essential part of maintaining the nation’s legal system. ICE has repeatedly reaffirmed that those who are being removed have gone through the legal system and had the chance to appeal their cases. Officials said those who were designated for deportation had either overstayed their visas, entered the country illegally, or did not fulfill the requirements for residency or asylum. Government representatives in Nigeria have taken note of the situation and are preparing to welcome the deported citizens.
On a global scale, the top countries are Mexicans (252,044), Guatemalans (253,413), Hondurans (261,651), and El Salvadorians (203,822). Other nations on the list include Haiti (32,363), Iran (2,618), Pakistan (776), Uzbekistan (975), Venezuela (22.749), and China (37,908 people facing final removal orders). As the operation continues, ICE officials have been instructed to aim for 1,200 to 1,500 arrests each day, with at least 75 arrests coming from each of the agency’s roughly two dozen field offices, according to the Washington Post.
Related Article: Trump Policies and Their Effect on Nigerians
An estimate by the pro-immigration American Immigration Council revealed that a one-time effort to deport all 11 million undocumented immigrants would cost $315 billion while deporting one million people annually would cost $88 million. On the other hand, the group noted that the operation may also have negative economic effects, such as decreased Tax revenue, reduced consumer spending, and a workforce shortage, particularly in sectors like Construction and agriculture. Meanwhile, Trump has noted there is “no price tag” for his intentions to deport large numbers of people, and “we have no choice.”