Eighty-five Nigerians have been cleared for imminent deportation to Lagos, according to official statements on Monday, February 16, 2025. They are among approximately 201 Nigerian immigrants currently held in U.S. immigration detention centers. This development, driven by the current U.S. administration’s strict immigration policies, has sparked concerns in Nigeria over the welfare of those affected and the broader economic implications.
The impending deportations were brought to the forefront during a courtesy visit. US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. The meeting took place at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja. Ambassador Mills Jr. confirmed that the initial batch slated for repatriation consists primarily of convicted prisoners. These individuals are currently serving time in US jails.
He explained that these individuals have been convicted of crimes, including violations of US immigration laws. “Those to be repatriated would be dropped in Lagos,” Mills Jr. stated. He dismissed any possibility of alternative landing points like Port Harcourt or Abuja. He further detailed that some of these individuals had exhausted all legal avenues, including appeals. Yet, they remain in the US despite deportation orders.
The Nigerian government, while acknowledging the US’s right to enforce its laws, has urged the US to adhere to established international conventions. These conventions concern the deportation process. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed deep concern about the emotional and financial hardship. This hardship is already being experienced by Nigerians in the US, and its ripple effect back home. She emphasized the significant impact on families in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas.
These families rely heavily on remittances from relatives in the US. The remittances are for basic necessities like food, shelter, education, and healthcare. Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the importance of dignified repatriation for all deportees. She implored the US government to consider the plight of these individuals. Many of them have built lives and acquired assets in the US.
We expect clear commitments from the new U.S. administration,” she said. “If deportation is necessary, it must ensure a dignified return. She specifically raised the question of how these individuals would manage their assets upon their return to Nigeria. “Will there be any way of ameliorating their pains? This has been of great concerns to not just Nigerian nationals in the U.S., but family members in Nigeria who depend on them for survival, children whose school fees are paid for by these diasporans,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu questioned whether those being deported would be given sufficient time to liquidate their assets. Or if they would be abruptly transported back to Nigeria, a scenario she described as potentially traumatic. This is especially true for those not convicted of violent crimes. The Minister’s appeal emphasizes the human impact of international deportation policies and the importance of balancing national sovereignty with individual rights.
