At least 3,000 undocumented Nigerians in the United States are facing imminent deportation amid the crackdown under President Donald Trump. This is according to reports citing documents obtained by Fox News from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations.
The report, published on January 28, 2025, stated that these Nigerian immigrants were on ICE’s non-detained docket with orders of removal since November 2024.
Nigeria ranks second among African nations with the highest number of citizens scheduled for deportation, following closely behind Somalia, Ghana, and Senegal.
The enforcement of immigration laws has intensified since American President Donald Trump assumed office on January 20, 2025.
Over the past few days, a large-scale crackdown by ICE officials has led to the arrest of thousands of undocumented immigrants across major US cities.
On January 27 alone, 956 people were reportedly detained, adding to the 286 arrests made on January 26, 593 on January 25, and 538 on January 24.
As of November 2024, more than one million non-U.S. citizens were listed on ICE’s non-detainee register and were subject to final removal orders.
Many African nationals, including Nigerians, were alleged to have entered the United States illegally through Nicaragua between 2023 and 2024.
Deportation flights carrying hundreds of undocumented migrants have already landed in Guatemala and Mexico as part of ongoing removals.
Key documents for different US immigration pathways
1. Permanent Residency (Green Card) To obtain a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card), an applicant must provide:
- A valid passport
- An immigration visa Form I-551 (Green Card)
- Proof of relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (if applicable).
2. Employment-Based Immigration: Applicants seeking to work in the U.S. must present:
- Form I-766 (Employment Authorization Document Card)
- A job offer letter from a U.S. employer Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
- Labor Certification (if required).
3. Family-Based Immigration: For those immigrating based on family ties, the required documents include:
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
- Birth certificates of family members
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
4. Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Stay): Those visiting temporarily for business, education, or tourism must have:
- A valid passport
- A relevant non-immigrant visa (e.g., tourist, business, student, or work visa)
- Supporting documents for their stay, such as an acceptance letter from a US school for a student visa.
