Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has urged the U.S. government to follow established protocols when deporting Nigerian immigrants with illegal documentation. This appeal comes after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills Jr. in Abuja.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the need for firm commitments from the U.S. government, ensuring that deportations are carried out with dignity.
She highlighted the emotional and financial hardships faced by many Nigerians in the U.S. due to the new administration’s policies targeting certain categories of immigrants for deportation.
The minister revealed that approximately 201 Nigerians are currently held in U.S. immigration camps, with around 85 already approved for deportation.
She questioned whether these individuals would be given time to manage their assets or simply be deported without proper arrangements.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that deportation affects not only those being repatriated but also their families in Nigeria, who rely on their remittances for survival and education.
She underscored the importance of treating deported individuals with dignity and granting them ample time to settle their affairs before returning home.
The first batch of Nigerians deported by the United States is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Monday, February 17, 2025, with the U.S. envoy confirming that deported migrants would be returned to Lagos.
The deportations are part of Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign promise to prioritize border security and enforce removal orders, which has sparked concerns within immigrant communities.
