The United States has initiated deportation proceedings against Nigerian nationals, with 85 individuals slated to arrive in Lagos and 116 others remaining in detention.
The Nigerian Federal Government, through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has expressed concern over the process and called for a more humane approach.
In a statement released Sunday by her media aide, Magnus Eze, Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that approximately 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centers, with 85 cleared for deportation. The government is advocating for adherence to internationally prescribed guidelines.
This position was reiterated by the Minister on Monday in a post on her official X account, titled “US Deportations Begin.” The US has confirmed that deportees will be flown directly to Lagos, with individuals serving prison sentences prioritized for repatriation, according to Mills.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed concerns about the emotional and financial impact of these deportations on Nigerians in the US and their families, stressing the need for humane and compliant processes.
She questioned whether those deported would have time to manage their assets before being repatriated, highlighting the potential trauma, especially for individuals not convicted of violent crimes.
She emphasized the government’s desire for a more dignified return process and urged the US administration to consider the impact on families in Nigeria who rely on remittances from relatives in the US.
The Minister noted that approximately 201 Nigerians are currently held in U.S. immigration camps with about 85 cleared for deportation.
This deportation process occurs within the context of stricter immigration policies enacted by the previous US administration.
These policies included measures to tighten immigration laws, such as proposals to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, deploying additional troops to that border, and a commitment to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
These policy changes have reportedly heightened concerns within immigrant communities.
