The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured that it is ready to receive any Nigerians who may be deported from the United States, following reports of a crackdown on illegal immigrants under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), through its Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, confirmed that the government has already set up an inter-agency committee to handle the situation.
“The Federal Government has set up an inter-agency committee, comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), should there be mass deportation of Nigerians from the U.S.,” Balogun stated.
Reports indicate that approximately 3,690 Nigerians in the U.S. are facing deportation, following President Trump’s intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants. According to a document compiled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and sighted by Vanguard, these individuals are among 1,445,549 non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders as of November 24, 2024.
The report ranks Mexico (252,044) and El Salvador (203,822) as the top two countries with the highest number of citizens facing deportation. While Nigeria’s figures are significantly lower, concerns are rising over the possible impact on affected individuals and their families.
Despite these figures, NiDCOM clarified that it is not yet aware of any Nigerians currently being processed for deportation. However, it is closely monitoring the situation.
The latest development follows reports that last week, U.S. authorities arrested hundreds of migrants, with some already deported using military aircraft, marking the beginning of Trump’s promised mass deportation operation.
While no official deportation flights have been scheduled for Nigerians, the Nigerian government has activated contingency plans to manage the potential return of deported citizens.
The inter-agency committee is expected to oversee logistics, reintegration, and security measures, ensuring that deportees are properly received and supported upon arrival in Nigeria.
As the situation unfolds, the Federal Government has urged Nigerians in the U.S. to stay informed about their immigration status and comply with local laws to avoid deportation risks.
