The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified 124 Nigerians among foreign nationals facing possible deportation as part of its ongoing immigration enforcement campaign.
According to the agency, those listed fall into what it described as the “worst of the worst” category of criminal offenders arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The department has published the names and photographs of the affected individuals, although it has not announced when the deportations will take place.
The DHS stated that the operation is part of a broader effort to enforce U.S. immigration laws by removing non-citizens convicted of serious criminal offences. However, it did not disclose the specific crimes linked to each individual or provide a timetable for their removal.
The enforcement exercise forms part of the immigration policies introduced by President Donald Trump following his return to office in January 2025.
Upon resuming office, President Trump signed several executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency and directing federal agencies to strengthen border security while accelerating the arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrants, particularly those considered threats to public safety and national security.
The DHS said the latest operation reflects the administration’s commitment to implementing those directives, with ICE officers continuing nationwide operations targeting non-citizens with criminal convictions.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also defended the policy, stating that the administration remains focused on enforcing immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
Official U.S. immigration statistics show that Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed enforcement began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. Authorities have also expanded deportation flights to several countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
Nigeria has also faced increased immigration scrutiny in recent months. In June, the U.S. government introduced partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns related to identity verification, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening procedures.
While the names and photographs of the affected Nigerians have been released by U.S. authorities, the exact timeline for their deportation has not yet been announced.
