US Identifies 124 Nigerians for Deportation in Expanded Immigration Crackdown

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the identities and photographs of 124 Nigerian nationals slated for deportation as part of a wider immigration enforcement campaign targeting non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.

The names were published on the department’s official website alongside individuals described by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as among the “worst of the worst” offenders currently in federal immigration custody.

While the DHS made the names and photographs public, it did not reveal the specific crimes committed by each individual or provide a timeline for when the deportations would take place.

According to the department, the action forms part of the Trump administration’s intensified immigration policy, which prioritises the removal of undocumented migrants with criminal convictions who are considered threats to public safety.

In a statement, the DHS said its officers were carrying out President Donald Trump’s directive to begin large-scale deportations by focusing first on individuals with serious criminal records.

Among those identified are Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Mkpouto Etukudoh, Marcus Unigwe, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola and several other Nigerian nationals included on the 124-person list published by the department.

The announcement comes as the United States continues to strengthen immigration enforcement following President Trump’s return to office on January 20, 2025.

On his first day back in office, Trump signed multiple executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, directing federal agencies to tighten border security and speed up the removal of undocumented migrants, particularly those with criminal convictions.

One of the executive orders, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” instructed immigration authorities to prioritise the arrest and deportation of individuals considered threats to public safety and national security.

The White House has defended the policy, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the administration remains committed to enforcing immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of crimes.

Official U.S. immigration figures show that Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador have recorded the highest number of deportations under the renewed enforcement campaign. In recent months, deportation flights have also expanded to several countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

Nigeria has also faced increased immigration measures under the current U.S. administration. In June, Washington introduced partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity verification, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening procedures.

The DHS maintains that the latest enforcement operation is aimed at improving public safety by removing non-citizens with serious criminal convictions while continuing broader immigration reforms across the United States.