US to deport 124 Nigerians in second round of criminal alien removals
The US Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to deport at least 124 Nigerians identified among what it described as the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens in the country.
The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to deport at least 124 Nigerians identified among what it described as the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens in the country. According to a statement published by the agency, the Nigerians are part of an ongoing immigration enforcement campaign targeting foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes.
While the DHS released the names and photographs of those listed, it did not disclose the specific offences each individual committed or the timeline for their deportation. The move is part of President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown, which prioritises the removal of criminal offenders.
This is the second major deportation announcement involving Nigerians in 2026, following a similar plan in February affecting 79 individuals. The latest development comes amid increased scrutiny of Nigeria by the Trump administration, including partial visa restrictions introduced in June over concerns about identity management, information sharing, visa overstays and security screening.
For Nigeria, the deportations represent a diplomatic challenge and a domestic burden. The Nigerian government has historically accepted the return of its citizens, even when deported under controversial circumstances. The February deportation saw the first group arrive in Lagos on May 28, and more are expected. The government has consistently maintained that it will accept all Nigerians deported from the US, regardless of the circumstances of their removal.
The Nigerian stake is direct. The deportations strain Nigeria’s already overstretched social services and raise questions about the government’s ability to reintegrate returnees. The visa restrictions also affect legitimate travellers, students and businesspeople.
This echoes the 2020 deportation of Nigerians from the US under the Trump administration, which faced similar challenges. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: Nigerians returning under a cloud of criminality, and a government struggling to manage the fallout.
From a Nigerian vantage point, the deportations are a reminder of the risks faced by Nigerian emigrants. The government’s consular services must do more to protect the rights of Nigerians abroad while also preparing for the return of those deported.
The winners: the US government, which is enforcing its immigration laws. The losers: the deported Nigerians, who face an uncertain future; the Nigerian government, which must reintegrate them; and the reputation of Nigerians abroad, which suffers from the criminality of a few.
Bottom Line: The US is deporting 124 Nigerians. That is the second round this year. Nigeria is watching. The question is whether the government is preparing for the next round.