The United States government has published the identities and photographs of 124 Nigerians scheduled for deportation as part of its renewed immigration enforcement targeting foreign nationals with criminal records.
The list was released on Thursday by the US Department of Homeland Security, which described those affected as among the most serious criminal offenders arrested by the country's immigration authorities.
Despite making their identities public, the agency did not disclose when the deportations would commence or provide details of the offences committed by each individual.
According to the department, the exercise is being carried out by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of the Trump administration's expanded immigration enforcement programme.
The DHS said the operation is focused on removing undocumented immigrants convicted of serious offences, noting that the current phase prioritises those regarded as posing significant threats to public safety.
Among the Nigerians on the list are 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, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau and Oriyomi Aloba, alongside over 100 others.
The latest action stems from immigration directives introduced after President Donald Trump resumed office on January 20, 2025. The directives declared illegal immigration a national emergency and mandated federal agencies to intensify border security and speed up the removal of undocumented migrants.
One of the executive orders directed immigration officials to prioritise the arrest and deportation of non-citizens considered threats to national security and public safety.
The White House has defended the policy, maintaining that the administration is fulfilling its pledge to enforce immigration laws and remove undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions.
US immigration statistics indicate that Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador account for the largest number of deportees since the renewed enforcement campaign began. The operation has also been extended to several countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
Nigeria has equally faced tighter immigration measures in recent months. In June, the US government announced partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity verification, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening procedures.
The Department of Homeland Security said the names and photographs of the affected Nigerians remain available on its official website as immigration enforcement continues.
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