- Trump’s executive orders escalate deportation fears among Nigerians in the US.
- ICE raids businesses, detaining undocumented immigrants, including a military veteran.
- Nigerians with student visas and temporary permits feel particularly vulnerable.
Fear of deportation has gripped many Nigerians living illegally in the United States following President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants. On his first day as the 47th President of the US, Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting illegal immigration, including halting birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
Trump declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, deploying additional troops and pledging to deport millions of “criminal aliens.” The US Justice Department has also warned local and state authorities against non-compliance with the administration’s directives, threatening prosecution for those who refuse to cooperate.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- “Lying Mothers Enable Toxic Sons” – Saida Boj
- Nigeria Now Official Partners Of The BRICS – What Are The Implications Of This?
- Violence Breaks Out as Court Extends Detention of Impeached South Korean President
EKO HOT BLOG reports that last Thursday, 538 undocumented immigrants were deported as part of what Trump’s Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described on her X handle as “the largest deportation operation in history.”
The development has created palpable anxiety among Nigerian communities in the US. Many fear Nigerians may be targeted next after Mexicans, Haitians, and Indians. Speaking to Punch, Jacob Adegoke, a Nigerian-American and Trump supporter, said the current focus is on Mexicans and Haitians, with Africans likely to follow.
Similarly, media entrepreneur Obi-West Utchaychukwu noted that while Nigerians are monitoring the situation closely, no arrests of Nigerians have been reported yet.
A Nigerian resident in New York, identified only as Adebayo for security reasons, described the rising tension: “There’s a lot of apprehension in the Nigerian community right now. While I haven’t personally witnessed arrests, many undocumented Nigerians are deeply worried about the government’s policies. My neighbor even warned me to be cautious, as there are reports of even those with valid papers being targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”
The situation escalated after ICE agents raided a business in Newark, New Jersey, on Wednesday, detaining several undocumented immigrants, including an American military veteran. The incident has intensified fears among immigrants.
A Nigerian immigration lawyer in Maryland confirmed that Nigerians on student visas and those hoping to transition into permanent residency are equally concerned. “In Newark, for instance, ICE raided a frozen food store. Many Nigerians are worried because they fall into vulnerable categories, including those with student visas or temporary permits.”
The lawyer also noted that undocumented immigrants with criminal records face an even greater risk, as their past offenses may now make them prime targets for deportation.
Despite the ongoing crackdown, some US states are challenging the federal executive orders in court, providing a sliver of hope for immigrants. However, the fear of being caught in ICE raids continues to dominate discussions within Nigerian communities across the US.
