The Nigerian government has disclosed that there are currently 201 Nigerian citizens held in immigration facilities in the United States, with 85 of them having been approved for deportation.
During a courtesy call from U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, shared this information at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
The meeting, which focused on immigration and diplomatic affairs, was confirmed in a statement released Sunday by the minister’s spokesperson, Magnus Eze.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu voiced her concerns regarding the treatment of Nigerians facing deportation and urged the U.S. government to follow international conventions that ensure dignity during repatriation.
She also emphasised the emotional and financial hardships that deportations could inflict, particularly on families who depend on remittances from these individuals for crucial expenses such as school fees.
“At the moment, we’re told that about 201 Nigerian nationals are in U.S. immigration camps, and about 85 have been cleared for deportation.
“Will there be any way of ameliorating their pains? This has been of great concern not just to Nigerian nationals in the U.S. but also to family members in Nigeria who depend on them for survival”, she said.
U.S. Ambassador Mills assured the minister that the deportation process would adhere to international standards. He said those being sent back include convicted offenders and individuals who have breached U.S. immigration regulations.
He further noted that the deported individuals would be flown to Lagos, where Nigerian authorities would receive and process them.
The Nigerian government has reiterated its dedication to safeguarding the rights of its citizens living abroad while working with international partners to tackle immigration-related issues.
