US to deport 79 Nigerians convicted of serious crimes, part of ICE crackdown on criminal and illegal immigrants under Trump administration
The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to deport 79 convicted Nigerians identified on its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal list, in a move targeting serious offenders residing illegally in the country.
Also read: Nigerian deportations from US hit 2,330 in 11 years amid rising crackdown
The convicts were found guilty of offences including fraud, drug trafficking, assault, manslaughter, and robbery.
DHS stated the arrests form part of a broader crackdown on criminal immigrants under the leadership of Under Secretary Noem, fulfilling President Donald Trump’s pledge to remove high-risk individuals.
“The hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst, including the illegal aliens you see here,” the agency said in a statement.
Among those listed for deportation are Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Solomon Wilfred, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olamide Adedipe, and several others spanning multiple states in Nigeria.
Reports indicate that the intensified enforcement campaign, which includes house-to-house raids, has caused panic among Nigerian nationals in the US.
Some have reportedly gone into hiding, while others are returning home quietly to avoid detention.
Trump’s administration has maintained that these measures are necessary to protect public safety and enforce immigration laws, particularly following high-profile incidents involving criminal immigrants.
Also read: Nigerian deportations from US hit 2,330 in 11 years amid rising crackdown
The deportations form part of a sustained ICE strategy to prioritise the removal of individuals deemed most dangerous, signalling continued scrutiny of Nigerians and other immigrant communities with serious criminal convictions in the United States.
