By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Over 5,000 Nigerians living in the United States illegally are at risk of deportation following heightened enforcement measures under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Among these individuals, approximately 1,500 are currently detained, as part of a broader initiative aimed at expelling undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers.
According to statistics released by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in November 2024, there are an estimated 1.445 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S., including 3,690 Nigerians.
Recent updates from ICE show an additional 1,454 Nigerians have been detained, with deportation plans already in motion. Of those detained, 772 are awaiting trial, while the rest have been sentenced for various crimes, including immigration violations.
While the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued a formal statement on the situation, the Nigerian agency responsible for citizens abroad has confirmed it has set up a committee to investigate the matter and explore possible solutions.