US names 124 Nigerians set for deportation

The United States government plans to deport 124 Nigerians listed on its “worst of the worst” criminal register.

The Department of Homeland Security made the announcement on its website on Wednesday. The list includes names of people from other countries such as Niger, Cameroon, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mexico, Honduras, and Cuba.

In a statement released alongside the names and pictures of those facing deportation, the DHS said it is working to fulfill President Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportation of “illegal aliens.”

This effort will begin with “the worst of the worst illegal aliens.”

The published list includes names, photos, and the crimes of the foreign nationals facing deportation. Many Nigerians listed are accused of fraud, theft, money laundering, wire fraud, sexual abuse, and assault.

A major part of Mr Trump’s “America first” policy has been to crack down on immigration. During his presidential campaigns, he promised to increase deportations, limit asylum and refugee admissions, and tighten immigration pathways.

Since taking office, Mr Trump has put in place several policies that follow this plan. For example, at his inauguration, he signed an executive order declaring illegal immigration a national emergency. This order called for the quick deportation of undocumented migrants. Following Mr Trump’s return to office, the crackdown on migrants got stronger, leading to several human rights violations.

The Trump administration also imposed visa bans on several countries, including Nigeria. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the ban on Nigeria affected many visa categories, including B‑1, B‑2, B‑1/B‑2, F, M, and J visas.

The US also set bond requirements for African countries, asking applicants to pay up to $15,000 before applying for a visa.

Last month, the Trump administration said it would cut the number of US embassies and consulates in Africa that process visas for travelers to just 20. This means that visa processing will stop at many diplomatic missions across Africa. Applicants will have to go to fewer embassies and consulates. Under this new policy, the US will stop visa processing in Abuja and limit visa services to the Lagos consulate.

It is also planning a policy that requires foreign nationals in the US who want to change their visa status to return home to apply for a Green Card.

The DHS list is the latest move in the US crackdown on immigration. Nigerians on the list are also accused of aggravated assault, illegal possession of firearms, illegal use of a credit card, sexual exploitation of a minor, theft, and robbery.

The DHS did not share any details about when these Nigerians might be deported.

Some of the Nigerian names on the list include 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.

Others are Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, Joseph Ogbara, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi, and Omotayo Akinto.

Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru, Henry Idiagbonya, Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba, and Akeem Adeleke are also on the list.

The last set includes Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Abiemwense Obanor, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Abimbola Esan, Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Adetunji Olofinlade, Abdul Akinsanya, Elizabeth Adeshewo, Dennis Ofuoma, Quazeem Adeyinka, Ifeanyi Okoro, Oluwaseun Kassim, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo, Abraham Ola Osoko, Oluchi Jennifer, and Chibuzo Nwaonu.