More than 900 Nigerians were deported from the United States between 2019 and 2024, according to the latest figures released by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The 2024 ICE annual report shows that 902 Nigerians were removed over the six-year period, making Nigeria the African country with the highest number of deportations from the U.S. within that timeframe.
Breaking down the figures, 286 Nigerians were deported in 2019, followed by 199 in 2020. The numbers dropped to 78 in 2021 and further to 49 in 2022, before rising again to 152 in 2023 and 138 in 2024.
Senegal followed Nigeria closely with 761 deportations, while Ghana recorded 582. Other African countries with significant deportation numbers include Mauritania (491), Egypt (467), Somalia (406), the Democratic Republic of Congo (395), Liberia (379), and Kenya (335).
In addition, ICE disclosed earlier in January that 3,690 Nigerians are currently on its deportation list.
Meanwhile, Mexico, which shares a border with the U.S., recorded the highest overall number of deportations, with over 432,000 people removed during the same period.
The surge in deportations was notably linked to immigration policies implemented during former President Donald Trump’s administration, with the report suggesting that stricter enforcement may continue.
How U.S. Authorities Track and Deport Non-Citizens
ICE explained that its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division identifies non-citizens for removal through coordinated intelligence and law enforcement efforts.
Once probable cause is established, ERO officers proceed with the arrest and removal process.
According to the report, ERO’s national centers — including the National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center and the Law Enforcement Support Center — provide real-time leads to field offices to speed up operations.
In the 2024 fiscal year alone, ERO carried out 113,431 administrative arrests, including 33,243 at-large arrests. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Investigations made 32,608 criminal arrests, seizing over 1.6 million pounds of narcotics, $886 million in criminal assets, and $192 million worth of virtual currency.
Additionally, the agencies rescued or identified nearly 1,800 child victims of exploitation.
