As concerns over U.S. immigration policies grow, many Nigerian undocumented immigrants in the United States have drastically limited their movements to avoid the looming threat of deportation. Since Donald Trump assumed the presidency, many have taken steps to minimize their public presence, with some even ceasing work and avoiding social gatherings, including church, to steer clear of potential arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Tightened Immigration Policies and Deportation Threats
A report from ICE’s Removal Operations highlights that around 3,690 Nigerians are currently facing deportation. The document, titled Non-citizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship, reveals that Mexico and El Salvador have the highest deportation numbers, with over 450,000 cases between them. By November 2024, the total number of non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders reached over 1.4 million.
Upon taking office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at strengthening immigration laws, including moves to end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants. Additionally, local and state authorities were warned they could face legal consequences if they didn’t comply with the administration’s stricter immigration policies. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on social media that the U.S. was undergoing its largest deportation operation in history.
Fear and Sacrifice: Nigerians Seek to Stay Under the Radar
While deportation was initially focused on immigrants with criminal records, Nigerian undocumented immigrants now fear that they could be swept up in the expanding crackdown. Many have confined themselves to essential tasks, staying indoors to avoid encounters with ICE.
A Nigerian immigrant from Tampa, Florida, shared with The Punch how the threat of deportation has reshaped his life. “Ever since Trump came to power and implemented his deportation policies, some of us have stopped going to work because ICE could raid workplaces anytime,” he explained. His social life has also been severely impacted. “I don’t go to church anymore because there’s a risk of being arrested there. The safest place now is at home.”
At the factory where he works, many Nigerian and African employees have also stopped going to work out of fear. “The fear of Trump has become a real concern,” he said, acknowledging the widespread anxiety within the immigrant community. Despite the uncertainty, he remains optimistic: “We survived Obama’s deportation actions, and we hope we can survive this one too. We’re hoping the ongoing lawsuits against these immigration policies will slow things down and maybe even prevent Trump from following through.”
The Painful Dilemma: Stay or Return to Nigeria?
While some Nigerian immigrants long to avoid returning to Nigeria, citing the worsening situation there, others are grappling with failed attempts to secure legal status. One immigrant, who moved to the U.S. in 2013, recounted his struggle to legalize his status. “I’ve been trying to get my papers for years. I’ve lost nearly $30,000 to scams through marriage and other means. I even considered asylum, but I was advised against it because of the time I’ve spent without valid papers.”
Another Nigerian immigrant in Columbus, Ohio, echoed similar concerns, noting that while Nigerians are not the primary targets of deportation, any undocumented foreign national can be arrested and deported at any time. “Trump’s war on illegal immigration has severely restricted our movements. Now, we have to carefully watch where we go, like a rat checking for a cat.”
For many, returning to Nigeria would be a worse option. “Living here, even with all the challenges, is still better than what I would face in Nigeria,” one immigrant noted.
Deportation Continues, but Hope Remains
As of January 23, 538 undocumented immigrants had been deported in connection with the ongoing operation. Despite the large-scale deportations, many Nigerian immigrants remain hopeful that legal challenges to Trump’s policies will eventually provide relief. One Nigerian journalist in the U.S. summarized the sentiment: “If they ask all of us to leave, we’ll have no choice but to go. It’s their country, but if Nigeria were in a better place, none of us would have left. Many of us would return home if things were better.”
The mounting pressure from increasing deportation measures has taken a toll, particularly in Republican-controlled states, where many African immigrants are speaking out against the harsh immigration agenda. Amid heightened fears of deportation, Nigerian immigrants continue to limit their presence in public spaces. Despite the overwhelming anxiety, there’s still a flicker of hope that legal challenges and potential policy shifts might provide a much-needed reprieve. But for now, the constant threat of deportation hangs over them, and for many, returning to Nigeria remains an unthinkable option due to the harsh realities they face back home.
