The United States has increased its efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and many Nigerians living in the country without papers are worried about their future.
Since the series of tough immigration policies introduced by US President Donald Trump, anxiety has gripped the immigrant communities including Nigerians who feel they are next in line.
Trump’s administration made immigration reform a priority and signed several executive orders to strengthen border control and deport undocumented immigrants.
One of those orders was the controversial decision to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants in the US.
Also, a national emergency was declared at the US-Mexico border. Troops were deployed to the area and Trump said he was going to remove “criminal aliens”.
The US Department of Justice sent warnings to local and state governments that they would face legal consequences if they didn’t comply with the new directives.
Nigerians in the US are More Scared
Fear of deportation is palpable in Nigerian communities in the US.
Recent actions by ICE agents, which included the deportation of 538 undocumented immigrants, has heightened the anxiety.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary, posted on her X (formerly Twitter) “this is the largest mass deportation operation in history”.
Nigerian immigrants are worried about the environment. In a chat with the Punch, some Nigerians spoke about their fears of being targeted next after the Mexicans, Haitians and Indians.
Adebayo, a Nigerian in New York, described the atmosphere: “There’s a lot of fear in the Nigerian community right now. I haven’t seen anyone being arrested personally but many undocumented Nigerian immigrants are worried about the new government policies. My neighbour called me yesterday and warned me to be careful when I go out. Even people with papers are being checked by ICE.”
Raids and Arrests Worsen Fear
ICE is raiding businesses and homes where they suspect undocumented immigrants are hiding.
In Newark, New Jersey, the ICE raided a frozen food store and arrested several people, including a U.S. military veteran. This one got a lot of press and has added to the fear already in the immigrant community.
A Nigerian lawyer in Maryland said Nigerians and those with temporary visas (like students) are vulnerable.
“More Nigerians fall into the categories being targeted, those on student visas hoping to transition to permanent residency. They are now on edge, not knowing what’s next,” the lawyer said.
Specific Groups Being Targeted
Trump’s immigration policies have always prioritized deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
But reports are showing that even those with no criminal history are being affected.
Nigerian-American and Trump supporter Jacob Adegoke said while the initial focus has been on deporting Mexicans and Haitians, Africans including Nigerians could be next.
Adding to the uncertainty, some Nigerian immigrants are being more careful with their movements. Obi-West Utchaychukwu, a Nigerian media entrepreneur said while no large scale arrests of Nigerians have been reported, the fear is still there.
Hope in the Dark
Despite the fear, some states are pushing back against the federal government’s tough immigration policies. The legal challenges to the executive orders gives hope to those facing deportation.
But overall the environment is tough for undocumented Nigerians in the U.S. For many the future is uncertain as they navigate life under stricter immigration laws.
The pressure to be more vigilant and follow the law is now more than ever, many are hoping for a more inclusive and compassionate immigration reform in the future.