The United States has commenced deportation proceedings for Nigerian nationals, with 85 individuals set to arrive in Lagos while 116 others remain in detention.
The Nigerian government, through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has expressed concerns over the process, urging U.S. authorities to adopt a more humane approach.
In a statement released by her media aide, Magnus Eze, on Sunday, Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that “with approximately 201 Nigerians currently detained in U.S. immigration facilities and 85 already cleared for deportation,” the Nigerian government is advocating for compliance with internationally recognized guidelines.
Reiterating this position in a post on her official X account on Monday titled “US Deportations Begin,” the minister emphasized the need for a dignified process that considers the emotional and financial implications for those affected.
The U.S. has confirmed that deported individuals will be flown directly to Lagos.
According to U.S. officials, those being repatriated include individuals serving prison sentences, as well as those who have violated immigration laws and exhausted their appeals.
“The deportees will be sent to Lagos; there will be no option for repatriation to other locations like Port Harcourt or Abuja,” a U.S. official, Mills, stated.
“The first group will consist of convicted criminals currently serving prison sentences, alongside individuals who have clearly violated U.S. immigration laws. Many of them appealed their deportation orders but were denied and have remained in the U.S. unlawfully,” he added.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the distress deportations cause, not just for the individuals involved but also for their families, many of whom rely on them for financial support.
“With the new U.S. administration, we seek commitments that, if deportations must happen, they should be conducted with dignity,” she said.
She further questioned whether those affected would be given time to handle their affairs or be abruptly deported, noting that the process could be particularly traumatic for those who had not committed violent crimes.
The deportation initiative is part of a broader immigration crackdown by U.S. President Donald Trump, who, on his first day in office as the 47th President, signed executive orders tightening immigration policies.
These measures include ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, increasing military deployment to the southern border, and reaffirming his commitment to deporting millions of undocumented individuals.
These policy shifts have sparked concerns among immigrant communities, with advocacy groups warning of the potential humanitarian impact.