Nigeria’s Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called on the U.S. to follow established protocols when deporting Nigerian immigrants with illegal documentation.
Her appeal came after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills Jr., who recently visited the ministry’s office in Abuja.
Speaking, Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for firm commitments from the U.S. government, emphasizing that if deportations must occur, they should be carried out with dignity.
The BBC reports that the Minister has confirmed that the first batch of Nigerians deported by the United States will arrive in Nigeria on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Ojukwu’s appeal to the US
According to a statement by the Minister via her X page, she highlighted the emotional and financial hardships faced by many Nigerians in the U.S. following the new administration’s policy targeting certain categories of immigrants for deportation.
“With the new U.S. administration, we want commitments. If deportation must happen, it should be dignified,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated.
Additionally, the minister revealed that approximately 201 Nigerians are currently held in U.S. immigration camps, with around 85 already approved for deportation.
“Will they be given time to manage their assets, or will they simply be bundled onto planes and sent back?” she asked, stressing the trauma deportation could cause.
She stressed that deportation not only impacts those being repatriated but also their families in Nigeria, who rely on their remittances for survival and education. Odumegwu-Ojukwu underscored the importance of treating deported individuals with dignity and granting them the opportunity to properly settle their affairs before returning home.
“I underscored the fact that these deportations, particularly for individuals with no history of violent crime, should not be traumatic or abrupt and that these individuals should be given ample time to handle their assets rather than just be bundled into planes and repatriated.” the Minister added.
According to a statement by Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s media aide, Magnus Eze, the U.S. envoy revealed that deported migrants would be returned to Lagos, ruling out Port Harcourt or Abuja as alternatives.
“The first group will consist of convicted prisoners—those who have committed crimes and are currently in U.S. prisons,” the envoy stated.
He further explained that some deportees had violated U.S. immigration laws, appealed their cases, but were denied and remained in the country, thereby committing immigration offenses.
US’s position on illegal immigration
Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign promise included a massive domestic deportation operation, prioritizing border security, halting illegal immigration, and enforcing removal orders.
Trump’s plan has been criticized for its potential to disproportionately affect these groups, leading to economic and political instability in their home countries.
His administration has made immigration enforcement a top priority, focusing on removing individuals without legal authorization.
This policy has generated severe repercussions for African countries, sparking concerns within immigrant communities, particularly regarding mass deportations affecting vulnerable populations like families, asylum seekers, and long-time residents.
African immigrants from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, and Senegal face increased deportation risks.
