By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The United States of America’s government and the Federal Government have started finetuning plans for the deportation of about 201 Nigerians already cleared for eviction from US in line with the ongoing mass deportation exercise by President Donald Trump’s administration .
The imminent deportation plans came to light today and formed part of the deliberation between the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, and US Regional Population/Refugees/Migration Coordinator, Melissa Sandoval, during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at Abuja.
In a post on its verified X handle, the US Mission in Nigeria, said the meeting became important to finetune strategies for effective repatriations of the affected Nigerians, and to ensure that dignity of the returnees is upheld
The US government also emphasised the importance of coordination with humanitarian partners and federal government’s oversight in the repatriation process.
Recall that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had hinted last month that no fewer than 201 Nigerians in different immigration camps in US were set to be deported.
She had explained that eight-five of them, among them convicted criminals, had been cleared and were awaiting eviction from US.
The disclosure by Odumegwu-Ojukwu followed earlier report by Vanguard that 5,144 Nigerians may be affected in the initial stage of the ongoing deportation exercises
Vanguard analysis of data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, and Enforcement and Removal Operations, ERO, had indicated that 3,690 of the 5,144 Nigerians were in ICE non-detained docket with final orders of removal from the US, while 1,454 were in ICE detention.
Vanguard also reported that 772 out of 1,454 Nigerians in ICE custody, were arrested and detained for criminal convictions or pending criminal charges and were awaiting order for their final removal.
The US Mission in the tweet, said: “Ambassador Richard Mills and Regional Population/Refugees/Migration Coordinator Melissa Sandoval met with Minister Nentawe Yilwatda to discuss strategies for effective repatriations, underscoring the importance of transparency, coordination with humanitarian partners, and federal government oversight.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the United States and Nigeria to work together in facilitating sustainable returns that uphold the dignity of returnees and contribute to a safer, stronger future for both nations.”
VANGUARD