THE United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport an additional 18 Nigerian nationals listed on its so-called “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, bringing the total number of Nigerians scheduled for removal from the country to 97.
The latest development comes barely a week after News Point Nigeria reported that 79 Nigerians convicted of various offences across the United States had been marked for deportation by U.S. immigration authorities.
A follow-up check on the official DHS website on Monday revealed that 18 more names had been added to the list, signaling a further expansion of the enforcement exercise and reinforcing Washington’s tough stance on criminal immigration.
According to the updated records, the most common offences linked to the newly listed individuals include wire fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, and related financial crimes, offences that U.S. authorities consider serious threats to national security and economic stability.
An accompanying statement on the DHS platform said the arrests and impending deportations were part of a nationwide crackdown on criminal immigrants, being carried out by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The statement read in part: “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst, including the illegal aliens you see here.”
Among the Nigerians newly named for deportation are Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo, and Franklin Ibeabuchi.
Others on the updated list include Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Surajudeen Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Chisom Umeadi, Donald Ehie, and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu.
The rising figures underline the continued aggressive immigration enforcement policy associated with the Trump administration, which prioritizes the removal of foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, regardless of nationality.
Earlier, on February 2, this newspaper reported that 79 Nigerians had initially been placed on the deportation list. Those previously named include Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, and Chibundu Anuebunwa.
Others were Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau, Oriyomi Aloba, Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, and Joseph Ogbara.
The latest update confirms that Nigerians remain among several foreign nationals affected by the ongoing U.S. immigration dragnet, as authorities intensify efforts to remove convicted criminal immigrants from American soil.