‘The fear of Trump’: US-Based Nigerians go into hiding as deportation efforts intensify

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Many Nigerians living illegally in the United States are now frightened of being arrested and deported. As a result, people have stopped attending to work, church, and other public areas to avoid being detained by immigration police.

This concern began after President Donald Trump approved new legislation to deport illegal immigrants. Some Nigerians in the United States said they hope that legal challenges to Trump’s policies will slow down the deportation process.

According to a report from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), around 3,690 Nigerians are on the deportation list.

The report also covers other nations, with Mexico and El Salvador having the most persons awaiting deportation.

On his first day in office, Trump issued new immigration measures, including the repeal of birthright citizenship for illegal immigrants’ children.

The United States Justice Department has also cautioned that states and local governments must implement Trump’s immigration policies or risk legal consequences.

Because of these new restrictions, 538 illegal immigrants were deported on January 23. Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary, has also stated that the greatest deportation operation in US history is already underway.

According to the PUNCH, some Nigerians living in the United States have decided to stay at home to escape imprisonment. One man in Tampa, Florida, claimed he stopped going to work since ICE authorities may arrive at any time.

“Ever since Trump came to power and acted on his threat of deportation, some of us have stopped going to work because ICE officers can raid workplaces to arrest illegal immigrants at any time.

“I work in a factory with many other Nigerians and Africans. Some other Africans who are also illegal immigrants have stopped going to work. The fear of Trump is the beginning of wisdom now.

“I don’t go to church anymore because it is possible to be arrested there. For now, the only safe place is your house – stay indoors,” he said.

Another Nigerian in Columbus, Ohio, stated that while Nigerians are not the primary targets, anyone without legal documentation could be arrested.

He stated that individuals with criminal records are deported first, but the government is now targeting others as well.

“The best self-defence is to stay out of trouble, and the best way to avoid being deported is to stay out of sight of ICE officers,” he said.

Some Nigerians claim they have lost a lot of money while trying to obtain legal documents. One man who moved to the United States in 2013 claimed he spent about $30,000 seeking to become a legal resident but was unsuccessful.

Many Nigerian churches in the United States have instructed undocumented members to stay at home and attend online services.

A Nigerian Uber driver in New York, named Mathew, stated many of his Nigerian colleagues had stopped driving for now. “A lot of my Nigerian colleagues are not coming out for now. They can’t just risk it. They are all afraid of deportation,” he said.

The Nigerian government has stated that 201 Nigerians are now being held by US immigration agents and would be deported. However, officials say they have yet to receive information about when the deportations will take place.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that before any Nigerian is deported, the US must first notify the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC.

He also stated that Nigerian officials will prepare strategies to assist people returning.

Trump’s immigration policies are also hurting Nigerians who want to visit the United States. Some students who planned to study there are now exploring for other countries because they are concerned about visa issues or getting deported after arriving.

Sulaimon Okewole, a Nigerian education adviser, stated that many students are now contemplating other countries due to the situation in the United States.

“It will be very difficult for Nigerians to study in the country now as they will tighten requirements and all. Schools in the US offer scholarships to encourage international students, but this still doesn’t guarantee a visa.

“What we’re doing here now is finding alternatives for our clients. Just like when the United Kingdom introduced a policy on dependents,” he said.

Wale Dada, a student, said he intended to begin his Master’s degree in the United States this year, but he is now considering revising his plans.

“With what I have heard about the orders, I do not think I will proceed with the preparations. I cannot afford to leave the country only to get there and be rejected or treated like a criminal. I believe this order will severely impact my plans and those of many people like me,” he said.

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