The United States Department of Homeland Security has added 19 more Nigerian nationals to a list of convicted offenders slated for removal, bringing the total number of Nigerians facing deportation to 113, according to figures posted Sunday on the agency’s website.
Information published by DHS indicates that the newly identified individuals were convicted of crimes including sexual assault of a minor, fraud, assault, drug trafficking and money laundering. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers took the individuals into custody, and they are expected to be removed from the country once immigration processing is completed.
In a statement accompanying the updated list, the department said it is “highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” The statement added that under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS and ICE personnel are carrying out President Donald Trump’s directive to prioritize deportations of noncitizens with serious criminal convictions.
“The hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling Donald Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations — starting with the worst of the worst,” the statement read.
Among the 19 individuals newly added to the deportation roster are Adeolu Solabu, Oladayo Agboola, Chinonso Ochie, Oluchi Jennifer Chimdimma Chime, Samuel Omorodion, Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi and Mkpouto Etukudoh. Others include Marcus Unigwe, Kehinde James, Blessing Uchanma, Victor Adebisi, Richard Ugbah, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Oluwamuyiwa Olawoye, Okechukwu Amadi, Femi Jolayemi, Anthony Asanya, Izuchukwu Okoye and Ebele Agbasiele.
Data available on the DHS website show that the Nigerian deportation tally has risen sharply in recent weeks. In early February 2026, 79 Nigerians appeared on the list following ICE enforcement operations. Within days, that number increased to 97 after additional arrests. With the latest update, the total now stands at 113.
News Ghana also referenced the DHS data in a Sunday report, noting that the expansion reflects a broader enforcement strategy targeting foreign nationals with criminal convictions.
The escalation comes amid an intensified immigration enforcement campaign by the Trump administration, which has pledged to expand removals of undocumented migrants and lawful permanent residents who commit serious crimes. Federal authorities have emphasized that the current phase of deportations focuses on individuals convicted of what officials describe as grave offenses.
Original analysis: The rapid increase in the number of Nigerians listed for deportation highlights the administration’s emphasis on publicizing enforcement actions as part of its broader immigration agenda. By releasing names and framing the list under the “worst of the worst” label, DHS appears to be reinforcing a message that removal efforts are centered on individuals with criminal records rather than on broader categories of undocumented migrants. This messaging strategy may serve both domestic political objectives and international signaling, particularly to governments whose nationals are affected.
For Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, the growing deportation figures could have diplomatic and socioeconomic implications. While deportations of Nigerian nationals from the United States are not unprecedented, the pace and scale of the recent increase — from 79 to 113 within three weeks — may prompt discussions between U.S. and Nigerian authorities regarding repatriation logistics, reintegration support and bilateral cooperation on law enforcement.
The offenses cited by DHS span a wide range of criminal conduct, from financial crimes to violent offenses and drug-related convictions. Immigration attorneys note that noncitizens convicted of aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude are typically subject to mandatory removal under U.S. immigration law. Once criminal sentences are completed, individuals are transferred to ICE custody for immigration proceedings, which can culminate in deportation if relief from removal is not granted.
At the same time, immigration advocates often caution that deportation proceedings involve legal complexities, including appeals and claims for protection under asylum or other humanitarian grounds. DHS has not detailed the individual procedural status of those listed, beyond stating that deportations will occur after immigration formalities are finalized.
The absence of an official public response from Nigerian authorities as of Sunday leaves open questions about how the receiving country will manage the influx of returnees. In previous deportation waves, Nigerian officials have coordinated with U.S. counterparts to facilitate travel documentation and reception processes at ports of entry.
The updated deportation figures also reflect a broader national trend. Under President Donald Trump, federal immigration agencies have expanded workplace raids, community enforcement actions and data-sharing initiatives with local law enforcement to identify removable noncitizens with criminal convictions. By spotlighting specific nationalities, DHS underscores the international dimension of U.S. immigration enforcement while maintaining that its primary focus is on criminality rather than nationality.
As ICE continues its operations, further updates to the deportation list remain possible. Federal officials have indicated that enforcement efforts are ongoing and that additional names could be added as investigations and immigration proceedings advance.
Punchng/NewsGhana
