The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport an additional 18 Nigerian nationals listed on its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, raising the total number of Nigerians scheduled for removal to 97. The latest development signals an expansion of an ongoing nationwide enforcement exercise targeting foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes across the United States.
The move comes barely one week after PUNCH Metro exclusively reported that 79 Nigerians had been identified by U.S. authorities for deportation following convictions for various criminal offences. A follow-up review of the DHS website on Monday revealed that 18 more names had been added to the list, underscoring the scale and intensity of the current crackdown.
According to updated records published by the DHS, the most common offences linked to the newly listed Nigerians include wire fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes. These offences, U.S. authorities say, form part of a broader pattern of organised and sophisticated criminal activities that federal agencies are determined to dismantle.
In an accompanying statement posted on the DHS website, the department said the arrests and planned deportations were part of a sustained nationwide effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to remove criminal immigrants from American communities.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the statement read. “Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the hardworking 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 you see here.”
The statement further emphasised that the operation prioritises individuals convicted of serious crimes, particularly those considered a threat to public safety and national security.
Among the Nigerians newly added to the deportation list are Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo, and Franklin Ibeabuchi. Others named include Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Surajudeen Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Chisom Umeadi, Donald Ehie, and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu.
The addition of these names brings the total number of Nigerians on the DHS deportation register to 97, making Nigeria one of the African countries most affected by the current enforcement sweep.
The updated figures reflect the Trump administration’s continued hardline approach to immigration, particularly with respect to undocumented migrants and foreign nationals convicted of criminal offences. Since returning to office, the administration has consistently signalled its intention to intensify immigration enforcement, with DHS and ICE placed at the forefront of the policy drive.
Earlier reports by PUNCH Metro on February 2 detailed the initial list of 79 Nigerians marked for deportation. Those previously named include 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 on the earlier list are Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, and Joseph Ogbara.
U.S. officials have not disclosed the exact timeline for the deportations but have indicated that removals will be carried out in phases, subject to the completion of legal and administrative processes. Under U.S. immigration law, foreign nationals convicted of certain categories of crimes, including aggravated felonies and fraud-related offences, are liable to removal after serving their sentences.
The growing list has sparked renewed debate within Nigerian communities in the United States, with community leaders expressing concern over the reputational impact of the crimes and the deportations. Some have called for stronger engagement by Nigerian diplomatic missions to ensure that deportees are treated in accordance with international human rights standards upon their return.
Immigration analysts note that while Nigerians constitute a relatively small percentage of the overall immigrant population in the United States, they have featured prominently in recent enforcement statistics linked to financial crimes, particularly cyber-related fraud. U.S. law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that such offences attract severe penalties and heightened scrutiny under federal law.
For the Nigerian government, the expanding deportation list presents both diplomatic and domestic challenges, including reintegration of returnees and managing the social and security implications of their return. However, as of the time of this report, Nigerian authorities had yet to issue an official response to the latest DHS update.
With enforcement operations ongoing, observers say the number of Nigerians affected by the DHS crackdown may rise further, reinforcing Washington’s message that criminal conduct by foreign nationals will be met with swift prosecution and removal, regardless of country of origin.
