U.S. Expands Deportation List, Adds 18 Nigerians Convicted of Serious Crimes

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has added 18 more Nigerians to its deportation register for convicted criminal immigrants, raising the total number slated for removal to 97.

The update comes days after U.S. authorities identified 79 Nigerians already marked for deportation following convictions for a range of offences. A review of DHS records on Monday showed the list had been expanded as part of an ongoing enforcement operation.

DHS data indicate that the newly added individuals were largely convicted of financial and identity-related crimes, including wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft.

In a statement accompanying the update, U.S. officials said the arrests and deportation process are part of a nationwide campaign led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to remove foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes.

The department noted that the operation aligns with the Trump administration’s immigration policy, which prioritises the removal of undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

Among those newly listed are Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo and Franklin Ibeabuchi. Others include Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Surajudeen Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Chisom Umeadi, Donald Ehie and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu.

The expanded list reinforces Washington’s hardline stance on criminal immigration enforcement, with Nigerians among several foreign nationals affected by the policy.

Earlier this month, U.S. authorities confirmed that 79 Nigerians had already been scheduled for deportation after completing prison sentences or immigration proceedings linked to their convictions.