19 more Nigerians face US deportation
At least 19 additional Nigerians have been added to the United States government’s “worst of the worst” criminal deportation list, pushing the total number of Nigerians slated for removal to 113, according to data published by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The expanded deportation tally comes amid an intensified enforcement campaign by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has been aggressively targeting foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes. The newly listed individuals were convicted of offences ranging from sexual assault of a minor, fraud, assault, drug trafficking, money laundering and other serious crimes.
A note accompanying the DHS list, published on Sunday, states that the convicts were arrested by ICE officials and are expected to be deported after completing mandatory immigration procedures under US law.
How the Total Reached 113
The United States began publishing regular updates to its criminal deportation list earlier in February, initially naming 79 Nigerians as part of an enforcement sweep targeting what the DHS described as the most serious criminal cases among undocumented immigrants.
A subsequent update then added 18 more names, bringing the tally to 97 before Sunday’s latest update pushed the figure to 113 within a span of three weeks.
The rapid escalation reflects what US immigration authorities describe as a scaling up of operations under the ongoing federal stance on immigration enforcement. The DHS statement reiterated that the focus was on foreign nationals adjudged to have the most serious criminal histories.
Who Is on the Latest List
Among the 19 additional Nigerians recently named by DHS are:
- Adeolu Solabu
- Oladayo Agboola
- Chinonso Ochie
- Oluchi Jennifer Chimdimma Chime
- Samuel Omorodion
- Sunday Adediora
- Sunday Kunkushi
- Mkpouto Etukudoh
Also included are:
- Marcus Unigwe
- Kehinde James
- Blessing Uchanma
- Victor Adebisi
- Richard Ugbah
- Olaniyi Ojikutu
- Oluwamuyiwa Olawoye
- Okechukwu Amadi
- Femi Jolayemi
- Anthony Asanya
- Izuchukwu Okoye
- Ebele Agbasiele.
Their convictions involve a range of serious offences, including violent crimes, financial fraud, and drug-related offences — all of which make them priority cases under US immigration policy toward non-citizens with criminal histories.
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What “Worst of the Worst” Means
The DHS list is described by the department as naming “the worst of the worst criminal aliens” arrested by ICE. According to the published note, officials are acting under the authority of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and with enforcement priorities set by the federal administration.
Under current US immigration policy, individuals convicted of serious crimes may be subject to removal proceedings once they complete their sentences or immigration processes, and deportation is one of the ultimate outcomes of those proceedings.
While the government’s public messaging emphasises enforcement against violent criminal offenders, some investigative reporting in recent years suggests the broader US deportation mechanism is not limited only to those with violent records but also covers a wider range of immigrants, including those with less severe convictions or immigration violations.
Legal Process Before Deportation
After being arrested by ICE, individuals named on the list typically go through a series of immigration procedures that include detention, hearings before immigration judges, potential appeals, and orders of removal. Deportation itself occurs only after all administrative and legal avenues have been exhausted.
Those facing deportation may also seek relief through asylum claims or other legal motions, but success depends on the specific circumstances of each case under US immigration law.
Impact on Nigerian Communities
News of expanded deportation lists has reverberated among Nigerian diaspora communities in the United States, where concerns about immigration enforcement have grown in recent months. African immigrant groups and advocacy organisations frequently engage with US and home-country authorities to emphasise the need for legal protections and family rights, particularly for long-term residents.
While many of those named on official lists have criminal convictions, broad enforcement sweeps have drawn criticism from immigrant rights advocates who argue that some deportation mechanisms can ensnare individuals with minor offences or procedural vulnerabilities.
In Nigeria, authorities have yet to issue an official response to the latest update. Past engagements between Nigerian and US officials on deportation matters have focused on collaboration on return and reintegration programmes, as well as protecting the rights of citizens during removal processes.
Wider Context of US Immigration Enforcement
The expanded deportation of Nigerians comes amid a broader US immigration enforcement strategy that prioritises removal of non-citizens considered threats to public safety. Under longstanding policy frameworks, individuals convicted of serious crimes are designated for enforcement action as part of efforts to uphold public safety standards.
Analysts note that past decades of US immigration policy have included tools like expedited removal — under which certain individuals can be denied entry or deported without standard hearings when they have limited eligibility to remain — though these tools have varied in scope across administrations.
What Happens Next
The 19 additional Nigerians now on the DHS “worst of the worst” list are expected to be deported once immigration procedures are complete, a process that can take weeks or months depending on appeals and legal filings.
Human rights advocates and immigrant groups are likely to continue raising concerns about enforcement priorities and the scope of deportations, especially in cases where community ties and non-violent histories complicate the narrative.
For now, the global tally of Nigerians facing deportation underscores a challenging chapter in US–Nigeria immigration dynamics and reflects broader debates about immigration, public safety and due process in international contexts.
