The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported 902 Nigerians since fiscal year 2019, according to the agency’s 2024 Annual Report. This marks a significant number of removals despite a decline in deportations since 2019.
The report highlights that deportations from the U.S. peaked during Donald Trump’s administration, particularly in 2018 and 2019.
“Although removals fell to 138 in 2024, we saw a surge in earlier years, particularly during Trump’s tenure, with a potential spike again in 2025,” noted the report.
Nigeria remains the top African country for U.S. deportations, with 3,690 more Nigerians currently facing removal orders. Senegal and Ghana follow closely behind in the African ranking.
The U.S. attributed the rise in deportations to policy changes such as the Electronic Nationality Verification expansion, speeding up paperwork and making it easier to deport individuals.
“I want to emphasize that deportations should be humane, especially for those without a criminal record. Deportees should be given adequate time to handle their personal affairs,” said Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Despite the ongoing concerns, the Nigerian government is preparing to welcome back deported citizens. NiDCOM has set up an inter-agency committee to manage the reintegration process.
