Heightened immigration enforcement under US President Donald Trump has reportedly pushed some Nigerians in the United States into hiding, while others are quietly making arrangements to return home. The renewed crackdown is being carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a tougher deportation drive.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH indicate that several undocumented immigrants have stopped going to work due to fear of arrest, especially as enforcement raids have intensified. The expanded operations — including door-to-door checks — have triggered anxiety, public debate and protests, particularly after a number of fatal encounters involving immigration officers.
President Trump introduced stricter immigration measures immediately after assuming office in January 2025, targeting the arrest and removal of undocumented migrants. The approach has drawn criticism from advocacy groups and observers within and outside the US, who argue that ICE tactics have been harsh on immigrant communities.
Sources who spoke from the US said some Nigerians have withdrawn from their jobs, while a number are arranging discreet returns to Nigeria.
Reports on ICE activities show that at least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025, making it the highest annual figure in more than 20 years. According to a UK publication, several additional deaths linked to ICE encounters have already been recorded in 2026. Two widely reported fatal shooting incidents in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents — those of Renée Good and Alex Pretti — further heightened fears among immigrant groups.
ICE agents have continued enforcement sweeps across neighborhoods, detaining and deporting individuals under the administration’s immigration rules. Available figures indicate that roughly 70,000 people have been detained since the latest operations began, with over 500,000 deportations carried out.
In a viral social media video, a Nigerian woman expressed distress over the situation, saying many immigrants now live in constant fear. She described the atmosphere as deeply traumatic and claimed some affected individuals have turned to home-based and online businesses after abandoning regular jobs to avoid exposure.
She cited examples of workers who stopped reporting to factories and shops, with some families now relying on small-scale food sales and online trading to survive.
Backing this view, the president of the Nigerian community in Maryland, Mrs. Chris Ademiluyi, said many Nigerians are choosing to remain in hiding rather than return home, pointing to Nigeria’s economic and security challenges. She added that fear has prevented many affected persons from speaking publicly.
Similarly, Texas-based pastor Shola Adeoye warned in a social media post that panic over immigration enforcement is driving some Nigerians to leave the US prematurely, urging people not to make decisions based solely on fear. His remarks sparked mixed reactions online.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Center, a nonprofit group in Washington DC, reported a surge in requests for guidance from immigrants worried about enforcement actions and new visa restrictions. Executive Director Gbenga Ogunjimi said recent US policy changes — including visa limitations affecting Nigerians — have reduced access to immigration benefits such as work authorization and residency pathways.
He explained that the organization has focused on public education and advisory support, helping immigrants understand their legal options. According to him, some Nigerians are considering voluntary departure, while others are being advised to review their individual cases carefully before making decisions.
