Agency report
The United States government is set to deport 124 Nigerians listed on its “worst of the worst” criminal register.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday published the names of the Nigerians on its website alongside those of individuals from other countries, including Niger, Cameroon, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mexico, Honduras and Cuba.
In a statement accompanying the names and photographs of the potential deportees, the DHS said it is fulfilling President Donald Trump’s pledge to carry out the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, beginning with what it described as “the worst of the worst illegal aliens.”
The published list contains the names, photographs and alleged offences of the foreign nationals slated for deportation. Most of the Nigerians are accused of crimes including fraud, theft, money laundering, wire fraud, sexual abuse and assault.
A key pillar of President Trump’s “America First” agenda has been a crackdown on immigration. During his presidential campaign, he pledged to expand deportations of undocumented immigrants, restrict asylum and refugee admissions, and tighten both illegal and some legal immigration pathways.
Since returning to office, Mr Trump has introduced several measures aligned with that agenda. On his inauguration day, he signed an executive order declaring illegal immigration a national emergency and directed authorities to accelerate the deportation of undocumented migrants. His administration has since intensified immigration enforcement, with some actions drawing criticism over alleged human rights violations.
The Trump administration has also imposed visa restrictions on several countries, including Nigeria. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the restrictions affect multiple visa categories, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas.
The US also imposed bond requirements on African countries, requiring applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 before applying for a visa.
Last month, the Trump administration announced plans to slash the number of US embassies and consulates in Africa that process visas for travellers to 20. This implies that the US government will suspend visa processing at dozens of diplomatic missions across Africa, requiring applicants to seek visas at a smaller number of embassies and consulates. Under this policy, the US would cease visa-processing operations in Abuja and restrict visa services to the Lagos consulate.
It is also planning to introduce a policy requiring foreign nationals in the US seeking to change their status from temporary visa holders to permanent residents to return to their home country to apply for a Green Card.
The list published by the DHS is the latest in the US crackdown on immigration. Nigerians on the lists are also accused of aggravated assault, possession of prohibited firearms, illegal use of a credit card, sexual exploitation of a minor, larceny, and robbery.
