The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released an updated deportation list containing the names of 124 Nigerians as part of its intensified immigration enforcement campaign under President Donald Trump.
In a statement published on the DHS website on Wednesday, the department said the affected Nigerians were included in what it described as its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register. While the names and photographs of those listed have been made public, authorities did not disclose when the deportations will begin.
According to the DHS, those on the list were convicted of serious crimes, although it did not provide details of the specific offences or indicate the timeline for their removal from the United States.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement read.
“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations – starting with the worst of the worst.”
The published list includes dozens of Nigerians such as Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Mkpouto Etukudoh, Marcus Unigwe, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh and several others.
The latest move forms part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement strategy following the president’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. The directives instructed federal agencies to strengthen border security and prioritise the arrest and deportation of undocumented migrants, particularly those considered threats to public safety and national security.
One of the executive orders, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, directed immigration authorities to accelerate the removal of deportable migrants across the country.
The DHS maintained that the ongoing enforcement campaign fulfils President Trump’s campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations, beginning with individuals it described as dangerous criminal offenders. It added that officers of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had been instructed to intensify nationwide operations targeting non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also defended the policy, saying the administration remains committed to enforcing immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records in line with President Trump’s immigration agenda.
Official U.S. immigration figures show that Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed crackdown began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. The United States has also expanded deportation flights to countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
Nigeria has faced increased scrutiny from the Trump administration in recent months. In June, Washington imposed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening.