The United States has announced plans to deport Nigerian nationals who have either been convicted of crimes or violated U.S. immigration laws, with the first batch set to be repatriated directly to Lagos.
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., disclosed this during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
According to Mills Jr., the deportation process will prioritize convicted criminals currently serving prison sentences in the U.S., followed by individuals who have violated immigration laws, exhausted all appeal options, and remained in the country unlawfully.
“The first group to be repatriated will consist of convicted prisoners—those who have committed crimes and are currently serving sentences in U.S. prisons. Others include individuals who have clearly violated U.S. immigration laws, appealed their cases but were denied, and remained in the country unlawfully,” Mills Jr. stated.
He further stated that all deportations would be routed exclusively through Lagos, ruling out alternative destinations like Port Harcourt or Abuja.
In response, Odumegwu-Ojukwu called on the U.S. government to ensure the deportation process adheres to international conventions and respects the dignity of affected Nigerians.
“With the new U.S. administration, we hope for a commitment to humane repatriation,” she said. “Currently, about 201 Nigerians are in U.S. immigration camps, with 85 already cleared for deportation.
“These individuals have families who rely on them, and their abrupt return will impose both financial and emotional burdens.”
The minister also raised concerns about whether deportees would have adequate time to manage their assets before being repatriated.
“We need clarity on whether they will be given time to settle their affairs or simply be placed on planes without consideration.
“This process will be especially distressing for those who have not committed violent crimes,” she added.