The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that out of 201 Nigerians currently held in the United State immigration detention centres, 85 are already cleared for deportation.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu during a meeting with the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.
Bianca on her official X handle expressed concerns over the emotional and financial impact of deportations on Nigerians in the US and their families, emphasising the need for humane and compliant processes.
“US DEPORTATIONS BEGIN…..In a meeting with US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., I highlighted our Government’s concern , as well as the emotional and financial toll deportations recently announced by the new Trump Administration are having on Nigerians in the US and their families back home.
“There are about 201 Nigerians currently detained in US immigration centres, and about 85 cleared for deportation.
“We requested that the forced removals of our citizens from US soil must be in compliance with internationally prescribed guidelines and established protocols in this regard and that a more humane process should be followed,” she stated.
In response, Ambassador Mills assured that the Drop Box Visa System had not been totally suspended, explaining that the US was undergoing a policy review.
Regarding the suspension of USAID, he acknowledged that many NGOs are feeling the pains, but the situation is also being reviewed.”
On the deportation issue, Mills stated that the repatriations would be done with dignity and respect for human rights.
He also confirmed that deported Nigerians will be flown directly to Lagos as the sole deportation destination.
Mills emphasised that individuals serving prison sentences in the US would be among the first group of deportees.
“Those to be repatriated would be dropped in Lagos. There would not be room for whether it should be in Port Harcourt or Abuja.
“The first group will be convicted prisoners—those who committed crimes and are in US prisons. Some of them are those who have clearly violated US immigration laws.
“They appealed but were denied yet they are still in the US. They have committed immigration crimes, people who have been orderedto leave,” Mills stated.
