The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport at least 79 Nigerian nationals convicted of various criminal offences, as part of its ongoing crackdown on non-citizens with criminal records.
According to information published on the DHS website on Monday, the affected Nigerians were convicted of offences including fraud, drug trafficking, assault, manslaughter, robbery, and other serious crimes. The deportations are part of a wider enforcement drive targeting what U.S. authorities describe as the “worst-of-the-worst” criminal immigrants.
In a statement accompanying the list, DHS said the arrests were carried out by officers of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in line with President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst-of-the-worst criminal aliens arrested by ICE,” the statement read. “Under the leadership of Secretary Noem, DHS and ICE officers are carrying out mass deportations, beginning with those who pose the greatest threat to public safety.”
The list of Nigerians slated for deportation includes individuals convicted across different states in the U.S., reflecting a range of criminal cases involving financial crimes, violent offences, and drug-related activities.
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The latest development has drawn attention within Nigerian communities in the United States, as the Trump administration continues to intensify immigration enforcement nationwide. Reports indicate that the renewed crackdown has triggered fear among undocumented migrants and those with past criminal records, with some reportedly going into hiding while others are quietly returning to Nigeria.
The enforcement drive, which includes home raids and expanded ICE operations, has also sparked public debate and protests in parts of the U.S., particularly following incidents involving the use of force by immigration officers.
U.S. authorities maintain that the policy is aimed at strengthening national security and public safety by removing individuals deemed a threat, while critics argue that the approach has created widespread anxiety among immigrant communities.
