The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to expel 18 more Nigerians on its “Worst of the Worst” criminal registry, increasing the total number of West African nationals scheduled for expulsion from the United States to 97.
This will arrive in just one week ICIR reported that 79 Nigerians convicted of various crimes were targeted for deportation by US authorities.
Ann update DHS revealed on Monday that 18 more names had been added to the list, signaling an expansion of the ongoing crackdown.
“The Department of Homeland Security is focused on the worst of the worst criminal aliens apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the hard-working 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, including the illegal aliens seen here,” a statement on the website reads.
According to the DHS website, the newly listed Nigerians for deportation include Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Adelibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo, and Franklin Ibeabuchi.
Others include Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Joshua Ine, Stephen Osegele, Egosa Obaretin, Adesina Surajudeen Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Inusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Ume, Rotenna Chisom Umeadi, Donald Ehie and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu.
Security forces said the arrests were part of a nationwide crackdown on criminal immigration, noting that the most common crimes include wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft.
The latest statistics affect several foreign nationals, including Nigerians, and highlight the Trump administration’s continued hardline stance on illegal and criminal immigration.
ICIR reported Last week, the United States listed 79 Nigerians among the worst non-national criminals arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the arrests were part of recent enforcement efforts across multiple U.S. states that focused on removing undocumented immigrants with serious convictions from the United States.
Although DHS has not disclosed a specific timeline for deportation, individuals on the list are expected to face deportation proceedings following their arrest, pursuant to U.S. immigration law.
The move has heightened concerns among Nigerians living in the United States about the reputational impact of a particularly high-profile crime-related immigration crackdown.
Nigerians are among those who have been affected by U.S. deportation policies since President Trump took office in January 2024.
Many Nigerians have returned voluntarily or been deported for crimes ranging from immigration violations to criminal convictions.
Nanji is an investigative journalist at ICIR. She has many years of experience reporting and broadcasting human stories, gender inequality, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflicts, sex for grades in Nigerian universities, harmful traditional practices, and human trafficking.
