The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared its readiness to receive any Nigerians who may be deported from the United States following President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on *illegal immigrants.

This was disclosed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media and Corporate Affairs of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), during an interview on Tuesday evening.

Inter-Agency Committee Set Up for Deportation Cases

Balogun stated that while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the primary body overseeing deportation matters, the Federal Government has already established an inter-agency committee to handle any potential mass deportation of Nigerians from the U.S.

The committee comprises representatives from:
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM)
– Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs
– Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA)

“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, should there be mass deportation of Nigerians from the U.S.,” Balogun stated.

3,690 Nigerians Facing Deportation from the U.S.

According to a document from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), about 3,690 Nigerians are currently at risk of deportation due to their immigration status.

The document, titled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,” provides data on foreign nationals* in the U.S. facing deportation.

As of November 24, 2024, there were:
– 1,445,549 non-citizens with final removal orders
– Mexico and El Salvador topping the list, with 252,044 and 203,822 individuals facing deportation, respectively

While ICE is responsible for enforcing immigration laws, protecting U.S. national security, and preventing cross-border crimes, recent mass deportation operations have raised concerns among immigrant communities, including Nigerians.

Trump’s Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

Last week, hundreds of migrants were arrested, and many were deported via military aircraft, marking the beginning of Trump’s large-scale deportation operations.

With African and Nigerian illegal immigrants also being monitored, it is likely that many could be among the next groups facing removal from the U.S.

NiDCOM: No Official Notification of Deportation Yet

Despite these concerns, NiDCOM has clarified that it has not yet received any official communication regarding the deportation of Nigerians from the U.S.

However, with the ongoing crackdown, the Nigerian government remains prepared to handle the return of affected citizens through structured reintegration programs.

Conclusion

As the U.S. intensifies its immigration enforcement policies, thousands of Nigerians may soon be affected. The Federal Government of Nigeria has, however, assured its readiness to support and reintegrate any deported citizens through its inter-agency committee.

Meanwhile, Nigerians in the U.S. who may be at risk of deportation are advised to regularize their immigration status and seek appropriate legal counsel to avoid removal proceedings.