The Federal Government has confirmed that 85 Nigerian nationals are set to be deported from the United States, while 116 others remain in detention across various immigration centers.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, raised concerns over the deportation process, urging U.S. authorities to ensure a more humane and dignified approach. In a statement issued on Monday by her media aide, Magnus Eze, she emphasized the importance of adhering to internationally recognized deportation guidelines.
Taking to her official X account, Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated the government’s position, highlighting the emotional and financial toll such deportations have on affected individuals and their families back in Nigeria.
“With the new administration in the U.S., we hope for greater commitments to ensuring a dignified repatriation process,” she stated. “At present, around 201 Nigerians are in U.S. immigration camps, with 85 already cleared for deportation. The question remains—will they be granted sufficient time to settle their affairs, or will they be abruptly forced onto planes and sent back? This could be devastating, especially for those who have not committed any violent crimes.”
She further stressed that many deportees support families in Nigeria, covering expenses such as school fees for their children, and called for measures to ease their reintegration.
The Nigerian government continues to engage with U.S. authorities, advocating for fair and humane treatment of its citizens caught in the ongoing immigration crackdown.
