Nigeria has been ranked third among African countries with the highest number of deportations from the United States between 2020 and 2025, according to data released by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During this five-year period, a total of 437 Nigerian nationals were deported from the U.S., many of them due to criminal convictions or following final removal orders issued by immigration judges.
ICE’s enforcement actions are carried out under Title 8 of the U.S. Code, which authorizes officers in the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division to remove noncitizens with final deportation orders.
The latest data highlights ongoing challenges faced by U.S. authorities in managing individuals with criminal backgrounds among the immigrant population.
Criminal Histories Behind Many Deportations
In 2024 alone, ICE reported 271,484 removals. Of this number, 32.7% — approximately 88,763 individuals — had criminal histories. The charges or convictions included serious offenses such as assault, sexual assault, weapons violations, and homicide.
Full List: Top African Countries by U.S. Deportations (2020–2025)
Here’s a breakdown of African countries ranked by the number of deportations from the U.S. over the last five years:
- Senegal – 689
- Mauritania – 481
- Nigeria – 437
- Egypt – 387
- Ghana – 276
- Angola – 227
- Cameroon – 166
- Guinea – 162
- Somalia – 154
- Kenya – 131
The report underscores the significant number of removals involving citizens from West African nations, with Nigeria maintaining a high ranking.
