The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has revealed that approximately 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centres, with around 85 already cleared for deportation.
The Nigerian government has urged the US to ensure a humane deportation process, citing the emotional and financial strain such removals place on individuals and their families.
On a call with Channel Africa’s correspondent in Nigeria, Jonathan James Lyangohn, further insight was provided into the reasons for the detentions. Many of those affected have been held for various offences, including criminal violations and visa overstays. Some individuals had previously appealed their immigration status but were unsuccessful and remained in the country, leading to their detention and eventual deportation. This is not the first large-scale deportation of Nigerians from the US, with a similar repatriation process having taken place in November last year.
The Nigerian government’s concerns over the deportation process stem from past instances where deportees from other countries, particularly from Latin America, were seen being forcibly removed in chains. Authorities have emphasised the importance of treating deportees with dignity, even when they are being lawfully expelled.
The US has not provided an exact date for the deportations, but indications suggest that the process is imminent, following a recent visit by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Miller, to meet with Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu. It has been confirmed that Lagos will be the arrival point for the 85 individuals expected to be deported. In previous cases, deportees have been sent to different cities based on their preferred locations, including Abuja and Port Harcourt.
There is also uncertainty regarding how deportees with criminal records will be handled upon their return. While some may be required to complete their sentences in Nigeria under bilateral agreements with the US, others may be reintegrated into society, raising concerns about the potential impact on local communities.
Speculation has also arisen regarding Nigerian students in the US, given that over 14 000 are currently studying there. While no official confirmation has been made regarding student deportations, the Nigerian government has called for clarity on US immigration policies to ease anxieties among parents and students.
Efforts to obtain details on the exact timing of the deportations have so far been unsuccessful, but reports suggest the US government is preparing to carry out the process in the coming days.
--ChannelAfrica--
