The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed that the Federal Government is prepared to assist Nigerians deported from the United States.
Speaking to Vanguard on Tuesday evening, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, clarified that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is overseeing such developments. He also noted that the government has set up an inter-agency committee to manage any potential deportations from the U.S.
“The Federal Government has created an inter-agency committee that includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to manage any large-scale deportations of Nigerians from the U.S.,” Balogun added. However, he emphasized that NiDCOM was unaware of any Nigerians currently being processed for deportation from the U.S.
A document reviewed by our correspondent, compiled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, shows the number of non-citizens facing deportation by nationality. According to the document, as of November 24, 2024, there were 1,445,549 non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders.
The document, titled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,” revealed that Mexico and El Salvador top the list, with 252,044 and 203,822 individuals, respectively.
ICE is tasked with protecting the U.S. from cross-border crime and illegal immigration that could jeopardize national security.
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Meanwhile, last Thursday, the U.S. launched its mass deportation operation, with hundreds of migrants arrested and others sent back on military aircraft, following former President Donald Trump’s promises. According to reports, Nigerians and other African illegal immigrants in the U.S. may soon be targeted for deportation as part of this ongoing effort.
