
For many Nigerians and other nationals living in the United States of America, these are not the best of times.
Following the assumption of office by President Donald Trump on January 20, fear has become their constant companion. They walk in fear, work in fear, eat in fear and sleep in fear. The fear of deportation constantly haunts them.
Not just irregular immigrants (those without valid stay permits), even many of those with valid documents including green card and citizenship are not exempt from the dread of Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) police.
A Nigerian in Indiana who spoke on condition of anonymity with THISNIGERIA said: “To say many immigrants including Nigerians are scared stiff of Trump’s police is stating the obvious. It’s not about having your valid papers or not having your papers. Once they pounce on you, and you are not quick to offer quick response or explanation, you are on your way out of the country. That’s the reason everyone is afraid and in near hiding.”
Indeed, THISNIGERIA gathered that for fear of deportation, many Nigerians are shunning worship centres and work places. This, especially applies to illegal immigrants.
“ The number of worshippers since the second coming of Trump has reduced drastically,” said a Nigerian resident in Chicago, “There’s no reason taking the risk of going to church and be arrested and deported. These ICE guys are on rampage. They have marching orders to enforce immigration and deportation rules. So, we stay at home and pray to God. God hears prayers everywhere.”
There have also been reports of police accosting immigrant school kids, bundling them in busses, leading them to their homes and deporting them from the United States. This has applied mostly to Haitians and other coloured people, including Latinos. There are reports that “40percent of undocumented immigrants in the US are from Mexico.”
President Trump has never hidden his plan to build a wall barricading the Mexican illegal immigrants from flooding America.
With the wave of deportation sweeping across the US, it is estimated that no less than 6000 Nigerians could be affected in the exercise. “Even legal residents are scared, because of the rashness of the exercise, “ a source said.
Many Nigerian students are uncertain of their stay in the country. There have been notices and alerts to foreign students “not to stray or travel out of America for vacations or any other purpose as they can’t be sure of returning to their studies.” This newspaper learnt that, this accounted largely for many not able to visit during the recent festivities.
The situation as regards the deportation saga has provoked emotional reactions. Some nationals deported can’t establish ties with their native countries, sadly. A message reportedly from Jamaica Constabulary Force Administration said:
“Jamaica is dealing with a very challenging situation. Most of the persons who the USA deported have left Jamaica AS children and have no ties in Jamaica. The government is in the process of trying to find temporary housing for these residents. Worse still, their assets in the US are frozen.”
Another advisory reportedly urged naturalized Citizens of the United States to travel with” a copy of your citizenship certificate in your phone. The President’s mandate of deportation is being enforced by ICE anywhere, anytime, any place in vehicles, churches, homes, and work places.”
However, even with the deportation frenzy all over America, some of those who spoke with THISNIGERIA say there should be no serious cause for worry for Nigerians whose documents are in order.
The Dean of the faculty of Business Administration of Nile University, Prof May Nwoye, who has an American citizenship by virtue of possessing a green card, explained to THISNIGERIA that only illegal immigrants should lose sleep with the Trump order.
By those living in America illegally, Prof Nwoye said , “that means those whose visas have expired and those whose passports have expired.”
Prof Nwoye said President Trump cannot succeed in carrying out his deportation plans because, according to her, it is at variance with the American constitution.
“ He cant use Executive order to run America, “ she said.
Speaking in the same vein, a former Vice- Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Emmanuel Nwanze, said there is fear of the unknown among Nigerians.
He said “ No one knows the full depth of his plans. “.
He said it is an extreme right wing measure. “ This is how the world war 11 started. Between 1936 to 1939, Adolf Hitler who won election in Germany introduced some extreme right wing policies. He succeeded in mobilising small population of Germans with lies that the Jews were planning to take over the country “.
He, however, said that he is not a fan of migration but Nigeria is badly governed. “In all my experiences, no place is better than home”.
THISNIGERIA gathered that to remain in America legally, you need a valid passport, relevant visa depending on your reason for coming to America ( work, family, asylum etc). Proof of your relationship to a US citizen or sponsor. Others include Employment Offer, Birth certificate, marriage certificate, medical record, financial statement to demonstrate your ability to support yourself.
But how prepared is Nigeria to receive the massive deportation if it happens?
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) said the government is ready to welcome deported Nigerians from US.
Speaking to newsmen Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, confirmed that an inter-agency committee had been set up to manage any potential mass deportation.
“The Federal Government has established an inter-agency committee comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to respond to any large-scale deportation of Nigerians from the US,” Balogun disclosed.
However, he clarified that NiDCOM has not received any formal notification regarding Nigerians currently being processed for deportation.
The situation remains fluid as both governments navigate diplomatic channels to manage the issue.
With deportations already underway, affected Nigerians are left in uncertainty, hoping for a resolution that safeguards their rights and dignity.