Trump Administration Lists 124 Nigerians for Mass Deportation

The administration of Donald Trump has identified 124 Nigerians for removal from the United States under a mass deportation policy targeting undocumented migrants convicted of serious crimes. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published the names and photographs of these individuals on a "worst-of-the-worst" criminal register, stating they were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This action follows executive orders signed by Trump on January 20, 2025, which declared illegal immigration a national emergency. These orders direct federal agencies to prioritize the removal of non-citizens considered threats to public safety and national security. While the government released the list of individuals, it did not provide a specific deportation timeline or detail the crimes for which the Nigerians were convicted.

The enforcement occurs amid existing diplomatic tensions. In June 2026, the U.S. government placed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens due to concerns regarding identity management and security screening. The decision to publicly list Nigerian nationals for deportation is expected to further strain bilateral relations between Washington and Abuja, as the move signals a hardening of the U.S. approach to both border security and foreign national criminals.