Dozens of Nigerians deported from U.S. over crimes, visa offences

By Kunle Sanni –

The United States has deported dozens of Nigerians with criminal convictions and immigration violations back to Nigeria via a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charter flight.

The U.S. government stated that the deportation was carried out in close coordination with Nigerian law enforcement agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), with support from U.S. Homeland Security, which facilitated the chartered flight.

The action marks the latest in a series of crackdowns by U.S. authorities to enforce immigration laws and remove individuals with criminal records.

The development was confirmed in a post on Wednesday by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) via its official X handle (@StateDeptDSS).

“DSS special agents work with our partners all over the world to protect America – from both sides of the border. In close coordination with Nigerian law enforcement, our team assigned to @USinNigeria facilitated a @DHSgov charter flight returning dozens of Nigerians with criminal convictions and immigration violations,” the post stated.

While the U.S. authorities did not disclose the number of deportees or the specific charges against them, the country has in recent times intensified its deportation policy on illegal immigrants, particularly during the administration of President Donald Trump, which implemented stricter immigration enforcement through directives to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).