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US to Deport 201 Nigerians, 85 Cleared for Immediate Repatriation – US Ambassador Richard Mills
The United States has announced the deportation of 201 Nigerians as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal migrants. The news was disclosed during a courtesy visit by US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, to Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
Ambassador Mills confirmed that the deportees would be repatriated to Lagos, with no option for other locations like Port Harcourt or Abuja. He clarified that the first group to be repatriated would consist of convicted criminals, those serving time in US prisons for crimes, as well as individuals who have violated US immigration laws and been ordered to leave but remain in the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday, February 16, by Magnus Eze, the minister’s media aide, both officials discussed the repatriation process. Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the need for a dignified deportation process, expressing concern about the impact on families in Nigeria.
“We want a situation where there will be commitments. If repatriation is inevitable, we want a dignified return,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said. “At the moment, we are informed that about 201 Nigerian nationals are in US immigration camps, and 85 have been cleared for deportation.”
She also voiced concern about the potential emotional and financial hardships for those being deported, especially those with dependents in Nigeria. “This has been a great concern not just for Nigerian nationals in the US, but also for their families here in Nigeria, including children whose school fees are supported by these individuals.”
The minister raised further questions regarding the process, asking whether deportees would be given time to manage their affairs or if they would be forcibly repatriated without notice. She expressed particular concern for those who had not committed violent crimes, calling the situation potentially traumatic.
