The United States has moved to deport 97 Nigerians over alleged immigration and criminal offences, following the addition of 18 new names to an existing list of 79 individuals earlier earmarked for removal.
This was disclosed in a statement published on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which said the action formed part of a nationwide enforcement operation coordinated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across several states.
According to the DHS, the latest additions were made under an expanded enforcement programme targeting immigrants convicted of serious crimes, described as the “worst-of-the-worst” category of criminal offenders.
The agency said the alleged offences linked to the newly listed individuals include wire fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft, crimes it said posed significant financial and security risks to the United States.
“The Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the statement said.
It added that under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS and ICE were executing President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration agenda, beginning with individuals considered high-risk offenders.
“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the 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 statement added.
The 18 Nigerians newly listed for deportation include Oluwaseyanu Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Ojo, Franklin Ibeabuchi, Alex Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Umeadi, Donald Ehie, and Chukwudi Kalu.
The DHS said deportation proceedings for the affected individuals would be carried out immediately in line with existing U.S. immigration laws.
The development comes amid intensified immigration enforcement since President Trump’s return to office in January 2025, with the U.S. government implementing stricter policies aimed at removing undocumented immigrants and non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.