US Moves to Deport 79 Nigerians Linked to Serious Criminal Convictions
- Feb 3
- 1 min read
United States immigration authorities have commenced plans to deport 79 Nigerian nationals identified as having serious criminal records, following a nationwide enforcement operation targeting high-risk offenders.
According to official records from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the individuals were convicted of offences ranging from fraud and drug trafficking to violent crimes such as assault, robbery and manslaughter. The deportation process is being coordinated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of an expanded crackdown on criminal migrants.
DHS described those affected as priority targets under a policy aimed at removing individuals considered a threat to public safety. The arrests reportedly resulted from intensified operations carried out across several states.
Authorities said the enforcement drive aligns with the current administration’s hardline immigration stance, which prioritises the removal of undocumented migrants with criminal convictions. Federal officials have reiterated that the focus remains on individuals with extensive or violent criminal histories.
The development has unsettled sections of the Nigerian community in the United States, with reports indicating heightened anxiety among migrants. Some Nigerians are said to be making arrangements to leave voluntarily, while others have limited their public movements amid fears of arrest.
The ongoing enforcement actions have also sparked protests and public debate in parts of the country, particularly over the scale and methods of the immigration raids
Despite the backlash, U.S. authorities insist the operation will continue as part of broader efforts to strengthen immigration control and public safety.
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