Media Reports Explain Why Nigerians in the United States of America Fear Trump’s Immigration Policies

Nigerians living illegally in the United States are increasingly gripped by fear of deportation due to the immigration policies of President Donald Trump’s administration. Upon his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Trump signed a series of executive orders designed to crack down on illegal immigration, including measures to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and a national emergency declaration at the Mexico-US southern border. This aggressive stance has sparked panic among undocumented Nigerians, who see themselves as potential targets in what Trump’s press secretary has called “the largest massive deportation operation in history.”

According to media reports, 538 illegal immigrants were deported from the United States on a single Thursday following Trump’s directive, signaling the administration’s commitment to its immigration crackdown. Trump’s executive orders also include the deployment of additional troops to the US-Mexico border and threats to prosecute local and state authorities that do not comply with federal immigration enforcement policies. These actions have caused widespread anxiety within Nigerian communities, as fears grow that Nigerians, along with other African immigrants, could soon face mass deportation.

Some Nigerians in the US believe that the deportation focus will shift to Africans after targeting Mexicans, Haitians, and Indians. Jacob Adegoke, a Nigerian-American and Trump supporter, told Sunday PUNCH that while the initial focus was on deporting immigrants from Mexico and Haiti, Africans are likely to be next in line. This sentiment was echoed by Nigerian media entrepreneur Obi-West Utchaychukwu, who stated that Nigerians are closely monitoring the situation, even though no arrests of Nigerians have been reported yet.

The heightened sense of caution among undocumented Nigerians is palpable. Adebayo, a source in New York, revealed that many Nigerians are limiting their movements and avoiding situations that could attract attention from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “There’s a lot of apprehension in the Nigerian community right now,” he said. “Even people with valid papers are being advised to stay cautious, as ICE is reported to be targeting a wide range of individuals.” A viral case involving an American military veteran being detained alongside undocumented immigrants in Newark has further escalated concerns, according to reports.

In states like New Jersey, ICE agents have conducted raids on businesses suspected of harboring illegal immigrants, leading to multiple arrests. A Nigerian immigration lawyer in Maryland disclosed that undocumented Nigerians working in places like frozen food stores are especially vulnerable to such raids. Additionally, individuals on student visas and other temporary schemes who plan to transition to permanent residency are increasingly worried about the possibility of deportation.

While undocumented immigrants with criminal records are at the highest risk, the fear among Nigerians extends beyond this group. Reports suggest that even those without criminal records feel unsafe, as the broad scope of Trump’s immigration policies has created an atmosphere of uncertainty. Some US states have challenged the legality of these executive orders, offering a glimmer of hope to immigrants. However, for many Nigerians, the prospect of deportation looms large, overshadowing their daily lives and forcing them into a state of heightened vigilance.